Rod Griffin
{{short description|PNG international rugby league footballer}}
{{for|the basketball player|Rod Griffin (basketball)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Rod Griffin
|image = Rod Griffin Bulldogs.jpg
|imagesize = 285px
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|1|5}}
|birth_place = Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
|height = {{convert|187|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|LK|SR|PR}}
|teamA = {{nowrap|Papua New Guinea}}
|yearAstart = 2007
|yearAend = 17
|appearancesA = 13
|triesA = 3
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 12
| teamB = {{nowrap|PNG Prime Minister's XIII}}
| yearBstart = 2008
| yearBend = 10
| appearancesB = 3
| triesB = 0
| goalsB = 0
| fieldgoalsB = 0
| pointsB = 0
| teamC = {{nowrap|Queensland Residents}}
| yearCstart = 2014
| yearCend =
| appearancesC = 1
| triesC = 0
| goalsC = 0
| fieldgoalsC = 0
| pointsC = 0
|retired =
|updated = 6 January 2024
}}
Rodney Griffin (born 5 January 1987) is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr|sr}} and {{rlp|lk}} forward for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup. He is a Papua New Guinean international.{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc08.com/players/png/rod_griffin.aspx|title=Rod Griffin|publisher=bigpond.com|access-date=2009-12-30}}
Background
Born in Papua New Guinea, Griffin moved to Australia at the age of 3{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/intrust-super-cup-grand-final-rod-griffin-creates-history/story-fniabjcr-1227543144012|title=Intrust Super Cup Grand Final : Rod Griffin Creates History|publisher=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2015-10-14}} and played his junior rugby league for the Atherton Roosters, before going into the North Queensland Cowboys' academy system.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/broncos-lifeline-for-png-journeyman/tabid/10874/newsid/83232/default.aspx|title=Broncos lifeline for PNG journeyman|publisher=NRL.com|date=2014-12-10|access-date=2015-10-14}}
Playing career
=Early career=
In 2005, Griffin played for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup. In 2006, he moved down to Sydney, New South Wales to play in the Wests Tigers' junior grades.{{cite web|url=http://www.sharksforever.com/forums/showthread.php?6401-A-week-im-the-NRL-10-08-16-08-06/page2|title=A week im the NRL 10/08 - 16/08/06 - Page 2|publisher=Sharksforever.com|access-date=2015-10-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ourfootyteam.com/comps_sgball-2006_awards.php|title=Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg to Premier League teams were present to receive awards ranging from best and fairest to player of the year, OURFOOTYTEAM.COM - THE HOME OF JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE, Rugby League Results, Rugby League Ladders, Rugby League Draw, JRLFC, NRL, NSWRL, ARL, CSDJRL, SHARKS|publisher=Ourfootyteam.com|access-date=2015-10-14}}
=2007=
In October and November, Griffin played 3 games for Papua New Guinea against Wales, and France twice.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLS0tLS0tLTc5ODctLS0tLW4teS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-07|access-date=2015-10-14}}
=2008=
In 2008, Griffin returned to the Queensland Cup to play for the Northern Pride.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7548126.stm|title=BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Rugby League World Cup squads|publisher=BBC News|date=1970-01-01|access-date=2015-10-14}} In October and November, he played 3 games for Papua New Guinea at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup against England, New Zealand and Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLTctLS0tLS03OTg3LS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-10-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/08/03/png-name-preliminary-squad.aspx|title=PNG name preliminary squad|publisher=RLWC.com|date=2008-08-01|access-date=2008-08-06}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7669326.stm|title=Wilshere handed Kumuls captaincy|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-14|access-date=2008-10-14}}
=2009=
In 2009, Griffin again played for the Pride, hoping for a contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.{{cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=31834 |title=PNG star comes into Cowboys' calculations - rleague.com |website=www.rleague.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911011332/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=31834 |archive-date=11 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}
=2010=
On 19 September, Griffin played in the Pride's 2010 Queensland Cup Grand Final victory over the Norths Devils.{{cite web|last=Ricketts|first=Steve|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-pride-wins-intrust-super-cup-final/story-e6frfkp9-1225926355726?from=public_rss|title=Northern Pride beat Norths Devils in Intrust Super Cup final at Suncorp Stadium|publisher=News.com.au|date=2010-09-19|access-date=2015-10-14}} In October and November, he played 3 games for Papua New Guinea at the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations against Australia, New Zealand and England.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLS0tLS0tLTc5ODctLS0tLXktLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-10-14}}
=2011=
In 2011, Griffin joined the Tweed Heads Seagulls.{{cite web|url=http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/rod-griffin-expected-to-return-rugby-league/931329/|title=Griffin expected to return|publisher=Tweed Daily News|date=2011-08-10|access-date=2015-10-14}}[http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=38729 Round 1 Queensland Intrust Super Cup Preview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403050854/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=38729 |date=3 April 2011 }} rleague.com, 18 March 2011 On 25 September, he played in the Seagulls' 2011 Queensland Cup Grand Final defeat by the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. This was his third Queensland Cup grand final in a row, after losing with the Pride in 2009 and winning with the Pride in 2010.
=2013=
After spotting him in the Papua New Guinea camp while assistant coaching the side in 2010, Ipswich Jets co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker signed Griffin to the Ipswich side, after initially missing out on him in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/jets-cup-hopes-back-on-track/1935501/|title=Jets Cup hopes back on track | Ipswich Queensland Times|publisher=Qt.com.au|date=2013-07-08|access-date=2015-10-14}} The Walkers stripped 10 kilograms from his frame and moulded him into an 80-minute middle forward capable of performances like 309 metres in 66 minutes in Queensland Cup.
=2015=
In 2015, Griffin did a pre-season with the Brisbane Broncos, but failed to gain a contract. On 27 September, he played in the Jets' 2015 Queensland Cup Grand Final victory over the Townsville Blackhawks.{{cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/ipswich-jets-versus-townsville-blackhawks/2788096/|title=Historic win for Jets in Intrust Super Cup final | Ipswich Queensland Times|publisher=Qt.com.au|date=2015-09-27|access-date=2015-10-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/intrust-super-cup-grand-final-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/90146/default.aspx|title=Intrust Super Cup Grand Final preview|publisher=NRL.com|date=2015-09-27|access-date=2015-10-14}} On 4 October, he played in the Jets' 2015 NRL State Championship victory over the Newcastle Knights, scoring a try and setting up a try for winger Marmin Barba.{{cite web|author=Brett Keeble|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/ipswich-jets-shoot-down-newcastle-knights-to-win-nrl-state-championship-final-20151004-gk0zw3.html|title=Ipswich Jets shoot down Newcastle Knights to win NRL State Championship Final|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2015-10-04|access-date=2015-10-14}} On 13 October, he signed a 1-year contract to return to the Wests Tigers starting in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/wests-tigers-secure-three-forwards-19346/#xgcfGLwdrJEf0kO8.97|title=Wests Tigers secure three forwards | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|access-date=2015-10-14}}
=2016=
On 7 May, Griffin played for Papua New Guinea against Fiji in the 2016 Melanesian Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/png-stuns-fiji-in-a-thriller/tabid/10874/newsid/95678/default.aspx|title=PNG stuns Fiji in a thriller|date=7 May 2016 |publisher=nrl.com|access-date=7 May 2016}} Despite not being able to break into the Tigers' NRL team for 2016, he re-signed with them for 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-market-watch-knights-resign-gun-sharks-sign-raiders-youngster-kalyn-pongas-nrl-short-list/news-story/7728b25c9c91fd699db15fd8fc976780|title=Home | Live Scores & Latest News|work=Fox Sports|date=8 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-11}}
=2017=
On 8 February, Griffin was granted a release for his Tigers' contract to join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, spending the entire season in the New South Wales Cup. At the end of the season, he represented Papua New Guinea at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and was named in the NSW Cup Team of the Year.
=2018=
After two seasons in Sydney without making his NRL debut, Griffin returned to north Queensland, joining the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup.{{cite web | url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/01/02/townsville-blackhawks-gains-and-losses/ | title=Townsville Blackhawks gains and losses | date=2 January 2018 }}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/team/profiles/rod_griffin.html Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
- [http://football.ipswichjets.com.au/players/rod-griffin Ipswich Jets profile]
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=378#Rod-Griffin 2017 RLWC profile]
{{Northern Pride squad - 2010 Queensland Cup premiers}}
{{Ipswich Jets squad - 2015 Queensland Cup premiers}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2010 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Rod}}
Category:21st-century Papua New Guinean sportsmen
Category:Northern Pride RLFC players
Category:Papua New Guinea national rugby league team captains
Category:Papua New Guinea national rugby league team players
Category:Papua New Guinean emigrants to Australia
Category:Papua New Guinean rugby league players
Category:PNG Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Queensland Residents rugby league team players
Category:Rugby league second-rows
Category:Rugby league players from the National Capital District (Papua New Guinea)
Category:Tweed Heads Seagulls players