Richard Whiting (rugby league)

{{short description|England international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Richard Whiting

|fullname =

|image = Richard Whiting Toronto Wolfpack.jpg

|image_size =

|caption =

|position = {{rlp|SR|CE|WG}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|20|df=y}}

|birth_place = Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England

|height = {{convert|6|ft|4|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/233121/richard-whiting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522074942/http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/233121/richard-whiting|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-22|title=Hull 1st Team Richard Whiting|author=|date=2015|website= Hull FC|access-date=17 July 2015}}

|weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|club1 = {{nowrap|Featherstone Rovers}}

|year1start = 2003

|year1end =

|appearances1 = 18

|tries1 = 2

|goals1 = 6

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 20

|club2 = Hull FC

|year2start = 2004

|year2end = 16

|appearances2 = 258

|tries2 = 76

|goals2 = 30

|fieldgoals2 = 2

|points2 = 366

|club3 = → Doncaster

|year3start = 2014{{small|(DR)}}

|year3end =

|appearances3 = 3

|tries3 = 2

|goals3 = 0

|fieldgoals3 = 0

|points3 = 4

|club4 = Leigh Centurions

|year4start = 2016

|year4end =

|appearances4 = 15

|tries4 = 2

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 8

|club5 = Toronto Wolfpack

|year5start = 2017

|year5end = 18

|appearances5 = 45

|tries5 = 18

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 72

|teamA = England

|yearAstart = 2004

|yearAend = 06

|appearancesA = 3

|triesA = 1

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 4

|new = yes

|retired = yes

|source = {{Rugby league records |id=2188 |title=Richard Whiting |access-date=5 September 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/richard-whiting/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=McDermott&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213133638/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=McDermott&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2013|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}

|updated = 19 October 2018

}}

Richard Whiting (born 20 December 1984), also known by the nickname "Superman", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Championship. Able to play in a variety of positions, he was considered a utility player.

Previously playing in the Championship for Featherstone Rovers and the Leigh Centurions, he spent most of his professional career in the Super League with Hull FC, with whom he won the 2005 Challenge Cup, and was named Super League's Young Player of the Year in 2005.

Early life

Whiting was born in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, and he was a promising association football player as a youngster and was signed to a scholarship with Barnsley as a 16-year-old before deciding to pursue a career in rugby league.

Playing career

=Featherstone Rovers=

Whiting began his career with Featherstone Rovers in National League One, being named the league's Young Player of the Year in 2003,{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} before moving to Super League club Hull.

=Hull FC=

File:Richard Whiting.jpg

Whiting joined Hull in November 2003 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Senior says Wing must be feared |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/senior-says-wing-must-be-feared-76973.html |website=The Independent |access-date=5 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706110700/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/senior-says-wing-must-be-feared-76973.html |archive-date=6 July 2022 |date=6 November 2003}} In 2005 he made 24 appearances during the season and also won the league's Young Player of the Year.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} Whiting played for Hull at centre in the 2005 Challenge Cup final, scoring a try in the victory over Leeds. Hull reached the 2006 Super League Grand final against St. Helens, and Whiting played from the substitutes' bench in his side's 4–26 loss.{{cite news|title=St Helens 26-4 Hull FC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/6035553.stm|access-date=18 August 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=14 October 2006}}

Whiting also represented England in three matches between 2004 and 2006.

Whiting continued to be a regular in the Hull FC team, filling in a multitude of roles and positions and earning a reputation as one of the most reliable players in the league.[http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-fc-coach-peter-gentle-praises-mr-reliable/story-19597391-detail/story.html Hull FC coach praises 'Mr Reliable' Richard Whiting] In 2014, he was awarded a testimonial to mark 10 years with the club.[http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-fc-s-gentle-giant-richard-whiting-grand/story-20538867-detail/story.html Hull FC's gentle giant Richard Whiting on ten grand years as a reluctant Superman]

=Leigh=

In 2016, Richard moved to Leigh on a 2-month loan after falling down the pecking order. He made his début for Leigh in the 24–20 win over London Broncos. In April 2016 Whiting signed for Leigh on a permanent basis, ending his 12-year stint at Hull.{{cite web |title=Hull FC's Richard Whiting signs permanent deal at Leigh |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fcs-richard-whiting-signs-permanent-deal-at-leigh-646289 |website=Yorkshire Evening Post |access-date=5 September 2023 |date=14 April 2016}}

=Toronto=

Whiting joined the Toronto Wolfpack ahead of their inaugural season. He retired at the end of the 2018 season.{{cite web |title=Ex-Hull FC player Richard Whiting leaves behind strong legacy following retirement |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-news/ex-hull-fc-player-richard-2085723 |website=Hull Daily Mail |access-date=21 March 2025 |date=8 October 2018}}