Ben Hornby
Encyclopedia
Ben Hornby is an Australian Naruto loving professional rugby league
footballer who currently captains the St George Illawarra Dragons
of the National Rugby League
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back, he is the most capped player since the formation of the joint venture Dragons club in 1999.
Hornby has represented New South Wales
in the State of Origin
in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Hornby played one match for Australia, their loss to Great Britain during the 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
.
Previously a co-captain in 2007, in 2009 coach Wayne Bennett appointed Hornby captain of the team from the start of the 2009 season.
He was selected for Country in the City vs Country
match on 8 May 2009. However, he did not play in the match after withdrawing with injury.
On 3 October 2010, Hornby captained the Dragons to their first Premiership in 31 years, when they defeated the Sydney Roosters 32-8 in the 2010 NRL Grand Final
. He went on to captain the Dragons to victory in the following February's 2011 World Club Challenge
against Wigan in England.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer who currently captains the St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
of the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back, he is the most capped player since the formation of the joint venture Dragons club in 1999.
Hornby has represented New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
in the State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
Hornby played one match for Australia, their loss to Great Britain during the 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations was hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. Sponsored by Gillette the tournament followed the same format as in 2004 and 2005, with each team meeting the other two teams twice, and the top two teams at the end of the group stages proceeding to the...
.
Previously a co-captain in 2007, in 2009 coach Wayne Bennett appointed Hornby captain of the team from the start of the 2009 season.
He was selected for Country in the City vs Country
City vs Country Origin
City vs Country is an annual Australian rugby league football match that takes place in New South Wales between City and Country representative sides. The City side represents the Sydney metropolitan area...
match on 8 May 2009. However, he did not play in the match after withdrawing with injury.
On 3 October 2010, Hornby captained the Dragons to their first Premiership in 31 years, when they defeated the Sydney Roosters 32-8 in the 2010 NRL Grand Final
2010 NRL Grand Final
The 2010 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2010 NRL season. Played on Sunday, 3 October at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, the match was contested by the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. It was the first time the two sides met in a grand final. They...
. He went on to captain the Dragons to victory in the following February's 2011 World Club Challenge
2011 World Club Challenge
The 2011 World Club Challenge was contested by Super League XV champions, Wigan Warriors, and 2010 NRL Premiers, the St. George Illawarra Dragons...
against Wigan in England.
Career highlights
- Junior Club: Corrimal Cougars
- First Grade Debut: Round 23, St George Illawarra v Penrith at Penrith, 8 July 2000
- Representative Record: Under 19 Australia 1999, Under 19s NSW 1999, Origin NSW 2004, City vs Country 2005 and 2006, NSW 2006, Junior Kangaroos 2006, Australia 2006
- Captaincy: Round 1, St George Illawarra v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 2009
- Premiership: Grand Final, St George Illawarra v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 3 October 2010
External links
- State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats
- Ben Hornby player profile at St. George Illawarra Dragons