Steve Simpson (rugby league)
{{short description|Australia international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Steve Simpson
|fullname =
|image =
|position = {{rlp|SR|PR|LK}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|9|27|df=yes}}
|birth_place = Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|191|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|104|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|retired = yes
|club1 = Newcastle Knights
|year1start = 1999
|year1end = 10
|appearances1 = 216
|tries1 = 32
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 128
|teamA = Country NSW
|yearAstart = 2001
|yearAend = 05
|appearancesA = 3
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = New South Wales
|yearBstart = 2002
|yearBend = 08
|appearancesB = 13
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|teamC = Australia
|yearCstart = 2002
|yearCend = 07
|appearancesC = 7
|triesC = 1
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 4
|updated = 8 July 2010
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/players/steve-simpson/summary.html Rugby League Project]
}}
Steve Simpson (born 27 September 1979) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative {{rlp|sr}}, he could also play {{rlp|pr}} or {{rlp|lk}} and played his entire club career for the Newcastle Knights, with whom he won the 2001 NRL Premiership.
Background
Simpson was born in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.
Career
Simpson played for the Newcastle Knights at second-row forward in their 2001 NRL Grand Final victory over the Parramatta Eels. Having won the 2001 NRL Premiership, the Knights travelled to England to play the 2002 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls. Simpson played at second-row forward in Newcastle's loss. He was first selected to represent New South Wales as a second-rower for all three games of the 2002 State of Origin series. Simpson made his test debut in Australia's 64–10 victory over Great Britain in July 2002.
At the end of the 2003 NRL season, he went on the 2003 Kangaroo tour.
Injuries prevented Simpson from being available for the 2003 and 2004 State of Origin series, he played in all games of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 series. He also participated in the 2006 ANZAC Tests against New Zealand.
Simpson was selected to play for the Australian national team from the interchange bench in the 2007 ANZAC Test match victory against New Zealand.{{cite web|title=Anzac Test match 2007|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/anzac-test-match-2007/australia-vs-new-zealand.html|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|access-date=1 September 2013}}
In August 2008, Simpson was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.{{cite news|author=Liam FitzGibbon|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Surprises in Kangaroos squad|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24111780-23214,00.html|access-date=2 August 2008|date=1 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808144730/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0%2C8659%2C24111780-23214%2C00.html|archive-date=8 August 2008|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/01/sports/AS-RGL-Australia-Squad.php|title=Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad|newspaper=International Herald Tribune|date=1 August 2008|access-date=2 August 2008}} He was selected for Country in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009.{{cite news|work=Fox Sports|title=Blues halfback duel in two as Mitchell Pearce misses selection|first=Todd|last=Balym|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25422326-5016947,00.html|date=3 May 2009|access-date=3 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205020103/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25422326-5016947,00.html|archive-date=5 December 2012|df=dmy-all}} However, he did not play in the match after withdrawing with injury.{{cite news|work=Fox Sports|title=St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Soward called up for Country|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25426010-5016947,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731152630/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25426010-5016947,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2012|date=4 May 2009|access-date=4 May 2009}}
He was offered to play for the Ireland national rugby league team in the 2008 Rugby World Cup but declined.[https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/485892/knights-star-steve-simpson-chooses-family-before-country/ Knights star Steve Simpson chooses family before country]
On 10 August 2010, Simpson announced his retirement after an ongoing knee injury did not respond well to treatment.{{cite web |url=http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=28884&title=simpson-announces-retirement |title=SIMPSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT - Newcastle Knights |access-date=2010-08-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315173636/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=28884&title=simpson-announces-retirement |archive-date=15 March 2011 |df=dmy-all}} In his career Simpson has played 216 games and scored 32 tries.
References
- {{cite book| last1=Whiticker|first1=Alan|last2=Hudson|first2=Glen|title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players|year=2007|publisher=Gary Allen Pty Ltd|location=Wetherill Park, New South Wales|isbn=978-1-877082-93-1|page=609}}
Footnotes
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/Steve_Simpson Newcastle Knights profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com.au/Clubs/Knights/KnightsPlayerProfile/tabid/248/playerid/271/Default.aspx Steve Simpson NRL Player Profile]
{{Newcastle Knights Team of the Era}}
{{Newcastle Knights squad 2001 NRL premiership}}
{{2003 Kangaroo Tour squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Steve}}
Category:Australia national rugby league team players
Category:Australian people of Irish descent
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Cessnock Goannas players
Category:Country New South Wales Origin rugby league team players
Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
Category:Newcastle Knights captains
Category:Newcastle Knights players
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league players from Maitland, New South Wales