Fa'amanu Brown
{{Short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Fa'amanu Brown
|image = Fa'amanu Brown Samoa.jpg
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|12|24}}
|birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on|}}
|weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on|}}
|position = {{rlp|HB|FE|HK}}
| club1 = Cronulla Sharks
| year1start = 2014
| year1end = 17
| appearances1 = 24
| tries1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| fieldgoals1 = 0
| points1 = 12
| club2 = Canterbury Bulldogs
| year2start = 2018
| year2end = 19
| appearances2 = 12
| tries2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| fieldgoals2 = 0
| points2 = 4
| club3 = Featherstone Rovers
| year3start = 2021
| year3end =
| appearances3 = 27
| tries3 = 17
| goals3 = 12
| fieldgoals3 = 0
| points3 = 92
| club4 = Wests Tigers
| year4start = 2022
| year4end =
| appearances4 = 13
| tries4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| fieldgoals4 = 0
| points4 = 24
| club5 = {{nowrap|Canterbury Bulldogs}}
| year5start = 2023
| year5end =
| appearances5 = 5
| tries5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| fieldgoals5 = 0
| points5 = 0
| club6 = Newcastle Knights
| year6start = 2023
| year6end =
| appearances6 = 2
| tries6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| fieldgoals6 = 0
| points6 = 4
| club7 = Hull F.C.
| year7start = 2024
| year7end =
| appearances7 = 8
| tries7 = 3
| goals7 = 0
| fieldgoals7 = 0
| points7 = 12
| club8 = St. George Illawarra
| year8start = 2024
| year8end =
| appearances8 = 6
| tries8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| fieldgoals8 = 0
| points8 = 0
| teamA = {{rlnt|Samoa}}
| yearAstart = 2016
| yearAend = 22
| appearancesA = 8
| triesA = 1
| goalsA = 3
| fieldgoalsA = 0
| pointsA = 10
| teamB = {{rlnt|New Zealand}}
| yearBstart = 2023
| yearBend =
| appearancesB = 3
| triesB = 1
| goalsB = 0
| fieldgoalsB = 0
| pointsB = 4
| retired =
| updated = 6 July 2024
}}
Fa'amanu Brown (born 24 December 1994) is a professional rugby league footballer who last played as a {{rlp|hk}} for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and has represented {{rlnt|Samoa}} and {{rlnt|New Zealand}} at international level. He played as a {{rlp|hb|fe}} and {{rlp|lk}} earlier in his career.
He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights in the NRL, Hull F.C. in the Super League, and Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship.
Background
Brown was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He is of Samoan descent.
Brown played his junior football for the Hornby Panthers before moving to Australia and playing for De La Salle Caringbah. He attended and graduated from Endeavour Sports High School. In 2012, Brown was signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and started out in their S. G. Ball Cup team. Brown then played for the Sharks' NYC team from 2012 to 2014.{{cite web|url=http://rleague.com/players/Faamanu-Brown_3804/Stats/|title=Fa'amanu Brown player results, scores, news and statistics|publisher=rleague.com|access-date=7 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183749/http://rleague.com/players/Faamanu-Brown_3804/Stats/|archive-date=14 July 2014}} Brown has captained the Sharks' NYC team.{{cite web|url=http://monstasport.com/?tag=nrl-sharks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164032/http://monstasport.com/?tag=nrl-sharks|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2014|title=NRL. Sharks | Monstasport.com|publisher=monstasport.com|access-date=7 June 2014}}
Playing career
=2014=
On 14 February 2014, Brown was selected for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks inaugural 2014 NRL Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|author=|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=Squads For Auckland Nines|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=14 February 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115214258/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|archive-date=15 January 2016}} Brown was selected to play for Samoa against Fiji in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International test, but withdrew due to injury.{{cite web|author=|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/toa-samoa-team-announced/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911015848/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/toa-samoa-team-announced/|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 September 2014|title=Toa Samoa Team Announced|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=27 April 2014|access-date=10 December 2015}} On 5 June 2014, Brown re-signed with the Sharks on a 3-year contract, two days before his NRL debut.{{cite web|url=http://www.sharks.com.au/news/2014/06/05/brown_signs_on_through_2017.html|title=Brown signs on through 2017 – Sharks|date=5 June 2014|publisher=sharks.com.au|access-date=7 June 2014}} In Round 13 of the 2014 NRL season, Brown made his debut for the Sharks against the St. George Illawarra Dragons playing at five-eighth in the Sharks 30–0 loss at WIN Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.sharks.com.au/news/2014/06/07/late_mail_sharks_v_dragons.html|title=Late Mail – Sharks v Dragons – Sharks|date=7 June 2014|publisher=sharks.com.au|access-date=7 June 2014}} In Round 21 against the Parramatta Eels at Remondis Stadium, Brown scored his first NRL career try in the Sharks 32–12 loss.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/jarryd-hayne-stars-again-as-parramatta-eels-roll-cronulla-sharks-3212-to-claim-a-place-in-the-eight/story-fni3ga7r-1227011239548|title=Jarryd Hayne Stars Again as Parramatta Eels Roll Cronulla Sharks 32–12 to Claim a Place in the Eight|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=10 December 2015}} Brown finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 11 matches and scoring a try for the Sharks in the 2014 NRL season. On 9 September 2014, Brown was selected for the New Zealand and Samoa 2014 Four Nations train-on squads,{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/254707/six-players-added-to-kiwis-squad|title=Six players added to Kiwis squad | Radio New Zealand News|website=Radionz.co.nz|date=19 September 2014|access-date=10 December 2015}}{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/samao-train-on-squad-announced-14837/|title=Samoa train on squad announced | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=8 September 2014|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014081012/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/samao-train-on-squad-announced-14837/|url-status=dead}} but didn't make the final 24 man squads for both teams.
=2015=
On 31 January and 1 February, Brown played for the Sharks in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|author=|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-2015-nines-squad/|title=Sharks Name 2015 Nines Squad|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=23 January 2015|access-date=10 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031232/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-2015-nines-squad/|archive-date=3 February 2016}} In their Auckland Nines Semi-Final match against the Sydney Roosters, Brown suffered a season ending Anterior cruciate ligament injury, resulting in him not playing in any matches for the Sharks in the 2015 NRL season.{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/auckland-nines-2015-highs-lows-and-big-blows-freaks-beasts-treats-and-misery/story-e6frf3ou-1227204879294|title=Auckland Nines 2015 : Highs Lows and Big Blows; Freaks Beasts Treats and Misery|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=10 December 2015}}{{cite web|last=Haigh|first=Paul|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2856043/faamanu-brown-injures-knee-in-auckland-nines-finals/|title=Fa'amanu Brown injures knee in Auckland Nines finals | St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|website=Theleader.com.au|date=3 February 2015|access-date=10 December 2015}}
=2016=
On 7 May, Brown made his international debut for Samoa against Tonga in the 2016 Polynesian Cup, where he played at five-eighth and kicked 3 goals in a man-of-the-match performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/samoa-too-good-for-tonga-in-fiery-pacific-test-clash-at-pirtek-stadium/news-story/aa55d4e66b709a32a0637457807f329e|title=Samoa too good for Tonga in fiery Pacific Test clash at Pirtek Stadium|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|date=7 May 2016|access-date=8 May 2016}}
Brown spent most of the season with foundation club and feeder side to Cronulla, The Newtown Jets, where he was part of the side that made it to the preliminary final before losing to eventual premiers Illawarra.{{cite web|url=http://www.newtownjets.com/late-surge-by-the-cutters-denies-the-jets-a-place-in-the-grand-final/|title=Late surge by the Cutters denies the Jets a place in the Grand Final|date=20 September 2016|publisher=}}
=2017=
On 17 May 2017, Fa'amanu Brown signed a two-year deal with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. After waiting almost a year for a chance to be recalled to the side, Brown finally made his NRL return in Cronulla's clash with Canterbury in round 12, with the regular half, James Maloney, unavailable due to State of Origin duties. On 21 July 2017, Brown scored his first try of the season for Cronulla against Souths in a 26–12 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/nrl-2017-cronulla-sharks-cruise-past-south-sydney-rabbitohs-20170721-gxgexx.html|title=NRL 2017: Cronulla Sharks cruise past South Sydney Rabbitohs|first=Andrew|last=Parkinson|date=21 July 2017|publisher=|via=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
On 28 July 2017, Brown started for Cronulla against the New Zealand Warriors and scored a try, but was later taken from the field after suffering a head collision.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/live-nrl-warriors-v-sharks-score-updates-news-blog/news-story/4cfba80047571fecd1eafe11387d4fa9|title=Warriors v Sharks: NRL Round 21 score, Fa'amanu Brown injury, Bodene Thompson injury|date=28 July 2017|publisher=}}
=2018=
Brown made his debut for Canterbury-Bankstown in Round 3 against the Penrith Panthers.
File:Fa'amanu Brown Bulldogs.jpg
Brown made a total of 9 appearances in 2018 as Canterbury spent the entire season down towards the foot of the table. At one stage, the club were running second last on the table before upset wins over the Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors and St George lifted the club up the table to a 12th place finish.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/10/canterbury-bulldogs-2018-season-review/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs 2018 season review|website=www.nrl.com|date=17 October 2018}}
Brown played in Canterbury's Intrust Super Premiership NSW grand final victory over his former club Newtown at Leichhardt Oval. The following week, Brown played in Canterbury's NRL State Championship side which defeated Redcliffe 42-18 at ANZ Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/canterbury-bulldogs-beat-newtown-jets-to-win-2018-intrust-super-premiership-grand-final/news-story/5194d899167222fcbc817a6dfe96cf09/|title=Canterbury Bulldogs beat Newtown Jets to win 2018 Intrust Super Premiership grand final|website=Fox Sports|date=23 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/30/bulldogs-defeat-redcliffe-dolphins-to-win-intrust-super-championship/|title=Bulldogs down Dolphins to win Intrust Super Championship|website=NRL|date=30 September 2018}}
=2019=
Brown only made 3 appearances for Canterbury in the 2019 NRL season. For most of 2019, Brown played for Canterbury's reserve grade team in the Canterbury Cup NSW competition. Brown's last game for the club was the qualifying final against St George which Canterbury lost 24-22 at Campbelltown Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz/2019/09/30318/|title=RED AND BLACK REPORT 2019: EDITION NO.24 |publisher=Canterbury Rugby League |date=2 September 2019 |access-date= 8 October 2022}}
On September 16, it was revealed that Brown would be released from the club after winning Canterbury Cup player of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/draw/nsw-cup/2019/finals-week-1/dragons-v-bulldogs/|title=Finals week 1|website=NSWRL}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2019/09/16/bulldogs-farewell-five-players/|title=Bulldogs farewell five players|website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|date=16 September 2019}}
=2020=
On 15 June 2020, it was reported that he had signed for Featherstone Rovers in the RFL Championship.{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=15 Jun 2020|access-date=22 Feb 2021|title=Featherstone sign Samoa international Fa'amanu Brown|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/featherstone-sign-samoa-international-faamanu-brown/}}
=2021=
Brown played for Featherstone in their 2021 Million Pound Game defeat against Toulouse Olympique.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12430948/million-pound-game-toulouse-promoted-to-super-league-after-beating-featherstone#:~:text=Toulouse%20beat%20part%2Dtimers%20Featherstone,preferred%20French%20team%20in%202003/|title=Toulouse promoted to Super League after beating Featherstone|website=www.skysports.com}}
On 5 November, Brown signed a contract to join NRL side Wests Tigers for the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/faamanu-brown-finds-shock-new-club-45097/|title=Fa'amanu Brown finds shock new club|website=www.seriousaboutrl.com}}
=2022=
On November 5, 2021, it was confirmed Brown had joined the Wests Tigers via his Instagram story. On 20 May, he made his club debut against his former club Canterbury,{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-team-tips-round-11-teams-ins-and-outs-selwyn-cobbo-broncos-anthony-milford-newcastle-knights-nicho-hynes-halfback-matt-moylan-craig-fitzgibbon/news-story/e2c55963e91a684bafe9fe2d64720fff/|title=Naden eyeing Tigers debut after mid-season switch; Dragons young gun axed AGAIN: Teams Analysis|website=www.foxsports.com.au}} scoring two tries for Wests in their 36-22 victory at Leichhardt Oval.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-vs-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-live-updates-supercoach-scores-video-brent-naden-matt-burton/news-story/ef724754608ae85004d72fcd4a554b73/|title='Going up by the minute': Tiger's perfect Dolphins audition in fitting end to Dogs' brutal week|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Brown played a total of 13 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2022 NRL season as the club claimed the Wooden Spoon for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-04/nrl-knights-sharks-tigers-raiders/101402294/|title=Canberra Raiders hand out 56-10 NRL drubbing to Wests Tigers as Cronulla beats Newcastle Knights 38-16|website=www.abc.net.au}}
In October Brown was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists|title=Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021|date=4 October 2022|website=LoveRugbyLeague}}
=2023=
In August, Brown joined the Newcastle Knights mid-season on a contract until the end of the 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2023/07/29/knights-sign-faamanu-brown/|title=Knights sign Fa'amanu Brown|date=28 July 2023|website=Newcastle Knights}} Brown made his debut for the Knights in round 26, coming off the interchange bench in Newcastle's 32-6 victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, giving them an 8 game winning streak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2023/08/27/nrl-late-mail-club-debutant-late-inclusion-thrifty/|title=NRL Late Mail: Club debutant late inclusion|date=27 August 2023|website=Newcastle Knights}}
On 13 October, it was reported that he had signed for Hull F.C. on a one-year contract for the 2024 season{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=13 Oct 2023|title=Hull FC further bolster squad for 2024 as NRL recruit becomes Tony Smith's ninth new signing|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hull-fc-further-bolster-squad-for-2024-as-nrl-recruit-becomes-tony-smiths-ninth-new-signing}}
On 17 Oct 2023 it was reported that he would debut for {{rlnt|New Zealand}} against {{rlnt|Samoa}} in the 2023 Pacific Rugby League Championships{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|title=New Hull FC signing to make New Zealand debut this weekend as Kiwis take on Samoa|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/new-hull-fc-signing-faamanu-brown-to-make-new-zealand-debut-this-weekend-against-samoa|date=17 Oct 2023}}
=2024=
Brown made his club debut for Hull F.C. against arch-rivals Hull Kingston Rovers in round 1 of the 2024 Super League season. Hull F.C. would go on to lose the match 22-0.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68304214/|title=Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}
The following week, Brown was controversially sent off in Hull F.C's loss against Warrington. On the replays that were provided, Brown had accidentally clashed heads with Warrington player Ben Currie but instead of play continuing he was given a red card.{{cite web|url=https://www.totalrl.com/super-league-referee-marcus-griffiths-was-very-very-uncomfortable-with-faamanu-brown-red-card-decision/|title=Super League referee Marcus Griffiths was "very, very uncomfortable" with Fa'amanu Brown red card decision|website=www.totalrl.com}}
On 12 April, Brown departed Hull F.C. with immediate effect. It came the day after Tony Smith was sacked as head coach. Hull F.C. had started the season with only one win from seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/tex-hoy-stance-outlined-hull-9219359/|title=Tex Hoy Stance Outlined By Hull FC|website=www.hulldailymail.co.uk}}
On 16 April 2024, it was announced he would joining the St. George Illawarra Dragons on a one-year deal, effective immediately.{{cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/former-hull-fc-player-faamanu-9226869/|title=Former Hull FC player Fa'amanu Brown secures NRL move after returning to Australia|website=www.hulldailymail.co.uk}}
On 11 September 2024, it was announced that Brown would depart St. George Illawarra at the end of the season after not being offered a new contract.{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Ethan Lee |date=2024-09-10 |title=Dragons confirm departures of nine players |url=https://www.zerotackle.com/dragons-confirm-departures-of-nine-players-214215/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Zero Tackle |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hull-fc-faamanu-brown-st-george-illawarra-dragons-departures/|title=Former Hull FC man among nine departures from St George Illawarra Dragons|website=www.loverugbyleague.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/faamanu-brown/ Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140622173214/http://www.sharks.com.au/team/profiles/faamanu-brown.html Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/4/playerid/5506/seasonid/44/default.aspx NRL profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023202525/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/4/playerid/5506/seasonid/44/default.aspx |date=23 October 2016 }}
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=381#Fa'amanu-Brown 2017 RLWC profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup/samoa/faamanu-brown/ Samoa profile]
{{Samoa 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Samoa 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Faamanu}}
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players
Category:Featherstone Rovers players
Category:Hornby Panthers players
Category:Newcastle Knights players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:Newtown Jets NSW Cup players
Category:People educated at Endeavour Sports High School
Category:Rugby league players from Christchurch
Category:Rugby league five-eighths
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan rugby league players