Jake Clifford
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Jake Clifford
|fullname =
|image = Jake Clifford.jpg
|imagesize =
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1998|1|2}}
|birth_place = Cairns, Queensland, Australia
|height = {{convert|1.84|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|position = {{rlp|HB|FE}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|North Qld Cowboys}}
|year1start = 2018
|year1end = 21
|appearances1 = 42
|tries1 = 7
|goals1 = 19
|fieldgoals1 = 1
|points1 = 67
|club2 = Newcastle Knights
|year2start = 2021
|year2end = 22
|appearances2 = 25
|tries2 = 4
|goals2 = 52
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 120
|club3 = Hull F.C.
|year3start = 2023
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 26
|tries3 = 5
|goals3 = 54
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 128
|club4 = North Qld Cowboys
|year4start = 2024
|year4end = present
|appearances4 = 18
|tries4 = 5
|goals4 = 5
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 30
|teamA = {{nowrap|Prime Minister's XIII}}
|yearAstart = 2018
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 1
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|retired =
|updated = 5 July 2025
}}
Jake Clifford (born 2 January 1998) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|hb}} and {{rlp|fe}} for North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL.
He previously played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL and Hull FC in the Super League.
Background
Clifford was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia and was raised in Tully, Queensland and is of Italian descent.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/03/23/league-of-nations-stars-representing-40-countries/ |title=League of nations:Stars representing 40 countries |publisher=NRL.com |first=Brad |last=Walter |date=23 March 2022}}
He played his junior rugby league for the Tully Tigers, before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys/jake-clifford/|title=Official NRL profile of Jake Clifford for North Queensland Cowboys|website=North Queensland Cowboys|language=en-AU|access-date=2018-05-09|archive-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409054445/https://www.cowboys.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys/jake-clifford/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/tully-boy-jake-clifford-set-to-be-future-cowboys-star/news-story/2390aa5d4d764dd1b331765386f47e40?nk=d9247d1155df2d8dc103212cb9e2cb41-1525836404|title=Tully boy Jake Clifford set to be future Cowboys star|website=Cairns Post|date=13 February 2015 |access-date=2018-05-09}}
Playing career
=Early career=
In 2013, Clifford played for the Northern Pride's Cyril Connell Cup side. A year later, he captained the side in their Grand Final victory over Townsville.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2014/05/05/connell-cup-final---stingers-v-pride/|title=Connell Cup Final - Stingers v Pride|website=Queensland Rugby League|date=5 May 2014 }} In 2015, he moved up to the Northern Pride's Mal Meninga Cup side before moving to Townsville in 2016, where he played for the Townsville Blackhawks' Mal Meninga Cup side. In 2017, he played for the North Queensland Cowboys NYC side and was named in the 2017 NYC Team of the Year. On 27 September, he was named the 2017 Dally M NYC Player of the Year at the Dally M awards.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/dally-m/dally-m-2017-cowboys-halfback-jake-clifford-wins-final-holden-cup-player-of-the-year-award/news-story/e9369a5b8df263d17910e241e0911c49|title=Clifford claims historic Holden Cup award|work=NewsComAu|access-date=2018-05-11}}
=2018=
On 17 February, he played off the interchange in a pre-season loss to the Wests Tigers, scoring a try.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/02/17/Wests-Tigers-tame-North-Queensland-Cowboys-in-Cairns/|title=JT returns but Tigers tame Cowboys in Cairns|date=2018-02-17|work=National Rugby League|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-AU}}
Clifford started the 2018 NRL season playing for North Queensland's Queensland Cup feeder side, the Northern Pride. On 16 April, he re-signed with the North Queensland club until the end of the 2020 NRL season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/cowboys-secure-johnathan-thurston-nrl-successor-with-ash-taylor-qualities/news-story/e8e3317b3a920ad23130db48b9afac41|title=Johnathan Thurston NRL successor: Cowboys half Jake Clifford has Ash Taylor qualities|date=2018-04-17|work=Fox Sports|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/17/north-queensland-cowboys-extend-young-star-jake-cliffords-contract-with-eye-on-post-johnathan-thurston-era/|title=North Queensland Cowboys extend young star Jake Clifford's contract with eye on post-Johnathan Thurston era|date=2018-04-16|work=National Rugby League|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en-AU}} On 24 June, he was 18th man for the Queensland Residents side.{{Cite news|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/07/09/clifford-stands-tall-under-weight-of-great-expectations/|title=Clifford stands tall under weight of great expectations|date=2018-07-09|work=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-AU}} On 11 July, he started at halfback for the Queensland U20 side, scoring two tries and being named Man of the Match in Queensland's first ever win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/07/11/clifford-leads-the-way-in-qld-breakthrough/|title=Clifford leads the way in QLD breakthrough|date=2018-07-11|work=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=2018-07-12|language=en-AU}}
In Round 19 of the 2018 NRL season, he made his NRL debut against St. George Illawarra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/07/21/final-team-list-cowboys-v-dragons/|title=Final team list: Cowboys v Dragons|date=21 July 2018|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
On 29 August, he was named Intrust Super Cup Halfback of the Year and Rookie of the Year at the QRL Gala Awards night.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/08/29/clifford-named-q-cup-rookie-of-the-year/|title=Clifford named Q-Cup Rookie of the Year|date=29 August 2018|website=North Queensland Cowboys}} On 13 September, he was named the Cowboys Rookie of the Year at the club's presentation ball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/09/13/our-2018-award-winners/|title=Our 2018 award winners!|date=13 September 2018|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
On 6 October, Clifford earned his first senior representative honours, starting at five-eighth in the Prime Minister's XIII's 34–16 win over Papua New Guinea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/06/prime-ministers-xiii-score-hard-earned-win-over-papua-new-guinea-pms-xiii/|title=After pitch invasion, PM's XIII prevail|date=6 October 2018|website=National Rugby League}} A week later, on 13 October, Clifford captained the Junior Kangaroos to a 40–24 win over Junior Kiwis, being named Man of the Match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/13/junior-kangaroos-defeat-new-zealand-despite-incredible-try/|title=Junior Roos defeat Junior Kiwis despite incredible try|date=13 October 2018|website=National Rugby League}}
=2019=
Clifford entered the 2019 pre-season in a battle with Te Maire Martin for the vacant halves spot left by the retirement of Johnathan Thurston. Despite scoring a hat-trick in a pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans, Clifford lost out to Martin and began the season playing for the Northern Pride.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/cowboys/cowboy-clifford-trumps-half-rival-with-hattrick-against-titans/news-story/1e86dba4e0e3e3c25f9377f5eac21c4f|title=NRL 2019: North Queensland Cowboys Jake Clifford stars with hat-trick in trial win over Gold Coast Titans, pressure on Martin|date=23 February 2019}} He made his season debut in a Round 3 loss to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, playing five games before being dropped back to the Pride.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2019-round-8-cowboys-star-josh-mcguire-rages-after-injury-in-win-over-titans/news-story/a829da24441d6e28a7e3d07c0eaa6037|title=NRL 2019, Round 8 | Cowboys star Josh McGuire rages after injury in win over Titans|date=3 May 2019|website=NewsComAu}} Clifford returned to first grade in the Cowboys' Round 12 win over the Gold Coast Titans. In Round 13, he scored his first NRL points, kicking four goals in a 20–22 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In Round 17, he scored his first NRL try and kicked the game winning field goal in North Queensland's Round 17 win over the Sydney Roosters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fnorth-queensland-cowboys-upset-roosters-thanks-to-lastminute-jake-clifford-heroics%2Fnews-story%2F8c72fe2b08c674889134777280db332c&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=7a962d6e2f0676a8b9d7a3bd4693a117-1606193550|title=Couriermail.com.au | Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories|website=www.couriermail.com.au}} In the Cowboys' Round 22 loss to the Newcastle Knights, Clifford suffered an ankle injury and missed the final three games of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/08/22/updated-team-list-round-23-v-penrith/|title=Updated team list: Round 23 v Penrith|date=22 August 2019|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
On 16 December, Clifford re-signed with North Queensland until the end of the 2021 NRL season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/12/16/clifford-signs-contract-extension/|title=Clifford signs contract extension|date=16 December 2019|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
=2020=
In February, Clifford was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad, scoring a try in their final win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/02/15/cowboys-out-gun-dragons-in-the-west/|title=Cowboys out-gun Dragons in the west to take Nines crown|date=15 February 2020|website=National Rugby League}} He began the 2020 season playing for the Northern Pride.
In Round 3, he returned to first grade, playing 10 games at halfback before being dropped by interim head coach Josh Hannay after a Round 12 loss to the Canberra Raiders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-round-3-team-news-draw-fixtures-injuries-team-lists-broncos-vs-eels-supercoach-updates/news-story/a925761078a9c4d9b349fac93260d791|title=NRL Teams Talking Points: Bennett's coy Bunnies switch, Titans shake up spine|date=27 May 2020|website=Fox Sports Australia}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/04/morgan-returns-norman-dropped-as-coaches-ring-changes/|title=Morgan returns, Norman dropped as coaches ring changes|date=4 August 2020|website=NRL}} In Round 17, he was recalled to the side, scoring a try in North Queensland's win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/31/cowboys-v-dragons-cliffords-half-chance-testing-time-for-brittain/|title=Cowboys v Dragons: Clifford at halfback; Fuimaono returns|date=6 September 2020|website=NRL}} Clifford finished the season as North Queensland's halfback, scoring a try in their Round 20 win over the Brisbane Broncos.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/24/brisbane-get-wooden-spoon-as-cowboys-finish-on-a-high/|title=Brisbane get wooden spoon as Cowboys finish on a high|date=24 September 2020|website=NRL}}
In November, Clifford signed a two-year contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/11/24/jake-clifford-joins-knights-for-22-season/|title=Jake Clifford joins Knights for '22 season|date=24 November 2020|website=Newcastle Knights}}
=2021=
On 29 May, after playing seven games with the North Queensland club, Clifford secured an early release to join Newcastle for the remainder of the 2021 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2021/05/29/jake-clifford-joins-knights-for-remainder-of-2021-season/|title=Jake Clifford joins Knights for remainder of 2021 season|date=29 May 2021|website=newcastleknights.com.au}}
He made his club debut in round 13 for Newcastle in a 40-4 loss against Parramatta.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-newcastle-knights-vs-parramatta-eels-live-blog-live-stream-supercoach-scores-videos-updates-reed-mahoney-jake-clifford/news-story/293e7170e956a8a17aa6a60124420d1d/|title=Milestone men Gutho and Sivo shine; Over-keen Knights 'panic' on old boys day: 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=6 June 2021 }}
=2022=
Clifford made a total of 12 appearances for Newcastle in the 2022 NRL season scoring two tries as the club finished 14th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-newcastle-knights-season-review/zuanch2lkdlbojvv3rtaafcg/|title=NRL 2022: Newcastle Knights season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=6 September 2022 }}
On 27 October, Clifford signed a two-year deal to join English side Hull F.C. starting in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-sign-nrl-halfback-7748142/|title=Hull FC sign NRL halfback from Newcastle Knights to complete new-look spine|website=www.hulldailymail.co.uk}}
=2023=
Clifford made his club debut for Hull F.C. in round 1 of the 2023 Super League season against Castleford which ended in a 32-30 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64668525/|title=Super League: Hull FC 32-30 Castleford Tigers - Away side fall just short of remarkable fightback|work=BBC Sport }}
On 2 August, Clifford signed a one-year deal to return to one of his former clubs, North Queensland for the 2024 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-nrl-transfer-centre-jack-cogger-knights-jackson-hastings-jayden-sullivan-rugby-league-news-reaction/news-story/c97bcb3132b91c49054081621e778b01/|title=Cowboys lure playmaker home; Knights poach Souths forward, Panthers half: Transfer Centre|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=3 August 2023 }}
Clifford played 25 games for Hull F.C. for in the Super League XXVIII season as the club finished 10th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-high-lows-mid-8799429/|title=Hull FC highs and lows as mid-season resurgence not enough to prevent drop-off|website=www.hulldailymail.co.uk|access-date=4 October 2023|archive-date=4 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004073738/https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-high-lows-mid-8799429|url-status=dead}}
=2024=
Clifford was limited to only eight appearances with North Queensland in the 2024 NRL season which saw the club finish 5th on the table. He played in both the clubs finals matches as they were eliminated in the second week by Cronulla.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-north-queensland-cowboys-season-review-20240924-p5kcxq.html/|title=The Mole: Cowboys show improvement in 2024 but worrying finals stat sparks thorny question|website=www.nine.com.au}}
=2025=
In round 4 of the 2025 NRL season, Clifford scored two tries for North Queensland in their 30-20 victory over Canberra.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-north-queensland-cowboys-v-canberra-raiders-score-stats-live-blog-supercoach-scores-news-is-todd-payten-on-hot-seat-scott-drinkwater-joseph-tapine/news-story/4d2d25090e6bf40cb5acf9356acbb882/|title=Canberra’s Achilles’ heel revealed; Bad habit Cowboys must iron out — Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Achievements and accolades
=Individual=
- North Queensland Cowboys Rookie of the Year: 2018
- Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year: 2018
- Queensland Cup Team of the Year: 2018
- Dally M NYC Player of the Year: 2017
- NYC Team of the Year: 2017
=Team=
- 2020 NRL Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners
Statistics
=NRL=
: *denotes season competing
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" | |||||
| width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2018
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | {{Leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys | 6|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0 | |||||
| style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019 | 15 | 3 | 18 | 69.2 | 1 | 49 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2020
| 14|| 3|| 1 || 50.0|| 0|| 14 | |||||
| 2021
| rowspan="2" | {{Leagueicon|Newcastle}} Newcastle Knights |13 |2 |33 | | |74 | |||||
| 2022
|12 |2 |19 | | |46 | |||||
| 2023
| {{leagueicon|hull|16}} Hull F.C. |25 |5 |54 | | |128 | |||||
| 2024
| rowspan="2" | {{Leagueicon|North Queensland}} North Queensland Cowboys |8 |1 |1 | | |6 | |||||
| 2025
|3 |2 | | | |8 | |||||
| class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | Career totals ! 103 ! 19 ! 126 ! 67.9 ! 1 ! 329 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/jake-clifford/ Newcastle Knights profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/cowboys/jake-clifford NRL profile]
{{North Queensland Cowboys squad}}
{{North Queensland Cowboy 2020 NRL Nines Champions}}
{{2017 National Youth Competition Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clifford, Jake}}
Category:Australian people of Italian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent
Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Junior Kangaroos players
Category:Newcastle Knights players
Category:North Queensland Cowboys players
Category:Northern Pride RLFC players
Category:People from Tully, Queensland
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league halfbacks
Category:Rugby league five-eighths