Benny Elias
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Elias (born 15 November 1963, Tripoli, Lebanon
) is an Australian former rugby league
footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played primarily as a hooker for Balmain
in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
. He was one of the leading hookers from the mid 1980s until his retirement at the end of the 1994 season. Along with Wayne Pearce
, Paul Sironen
and Steve Roach
, Elias and his Balmain teammates formed one of the best forward packs in the modern era during the late 1980s.
Benny Elias was responsible for the reinvention of the hooker's role in rugby league: helping to change it from that of a scrummager to a skilful playmaker at "dummy half" (the player who receives the play-the-ball). He has sometimes been spoken of as "a player with a halfback's talents playing at hooker", yet Elias was still a superb scrummager, as shown when he won three key scrums against the feed in a 1990 play-off against Newcastle. He has now been appointed on the board of the Perth glory football club in Western Australia
in the late 1970s as a halfback, representing Australia in the Schoolboys team from 1979 to 1981. He was graded by Balmain in 1981, and transferred quickly to the hooking position where he remained for the rest of his career. When he first played first grade in 1982 his potential as a teenager was immediately noticed, and he developed so well that by 1984 he was widely tipped for major representative honours.
While attending Holy Cross College, Ryde, Elias played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1979 and 1981.
, which was undefeated through England and France, however Elias was unable to displace Royce Simmons
as the Test hooker.
Elias was instrumental in Balmain's advancement to the NSWRL Grand Final against the Canterbury Bulldogs in 1988, despite experiencing a painful rib cartilage injury during the lead-up to the finals series. Though they lost 12–24 to Canterbury, Elias won the Rugby League Week
Player of the Year award (one of only two hookers to achieve this feat). He was selected for the 1988 World Cup, and only a broken thumb kept him out of representative honours in 1989. He was back at his best in Balmain's surge to the Grand Final that year, narrowly missing a vital field-goal attempt in the second half of the overtime loss to the Canberra Raiders, a game in which Steve Walters
began to assert his dominance as the leading postwar Rugby League Hooker.
State of Origin
team between 1985 and 1994 and was named man-of-the-match on 3 occasions ( Game I 1990, Game I 1992 and Game III 1994). Elias played State of Origin with incredible passion and is remembered for his fiery clashes with Queensland hookers Kerrod and Steve Walters
. He was honoured later in his career when he captained the Blues in six games in 1990–1991. An enduring image of State of Origin remains from 1992 when with blood streaming down his face he helped NSW to a 14–6 win in Sydney.
In 2005 he was named one of the 25 greatest ever NSW players.
However, 1991 was largely plagued by injury as Alan Jones
replaced Warren Ryan
as Balmain coach, and though Elias was fit again in 1992, he could not displace Steve Walters from his Test spot and had many competitors for the New South Wales jersey.
1993 was controversial, hit hard by suspension which prevented his re-establishing his representative career, but in 1994 Elias showed some wonderful form in the State of Origin series (man of the match in the last game) and even at times for the struggling Balmain coached by former teammate Wayne Pearce. Elias missed out on selection on the 1994 Kangaroo Tour, and at age 31, he announced his retirement as a player in December.
had a very competitive rivalry until Fenech left South Sydney in 1991. Elias admitted on The NRL Footy Show
on 19 July 2007, that he was once successful in getting Fenech sent off when he bit his own hand and then claimed the bite was done by Fenech. Elias was also involved in controversial "physical" incidents with Mark Geyer
and Chris Mortimer
among others.
Elias released his autobiography, Balmain Benny, towards the end of his career, touching on many of the controversial on and off-field incidents in his career.
In 2000 Elias was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.
and became a successful businessman as one of Australia's retail mobile phone sales pioneers and began rugby league radio commentary in Sydney. Elias also became the rugby league pundit for now defunct SBS
Television 7pm weeknight sports program in the mid-2000s.
During his playing days, Elias was regularly interviewed. Rugby league journalist Roy Masters referred to Elias as the cliché king for his love, and occasionally incorrect use of, clichés and metaphors.
Elias is currently a member of the Wests Tigers Board along with former teammate Paul Sironen
.
He has two children and lives in Sydney, Australia.
Tripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
) is an Australian former rugby league
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 of the 1980s and 90s. He played primarily as a hooker for Balmain
Balmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League from 1908 until 1994, the premiership was the state's and later the country's elite rugby league competition...
. He was one of the leading hookers from the mid 1980s until his retirement at the end of the 1994 season. Along with Wayne Pearce
Wayne Pearce
Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'...
, Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
and Steve Roach
Steve Roach (rugby league footballer)
Stephen David "Blocker" Roach - is an Australian former rugby league prop forward of the 1980s and early 1990s. He made thirty-nine representative appearances for the Australian national team in Tests, World Cup and New South Wales State of Origin matches between 1985 and 1991...
, Elias and his Balmain teammates formed one of the best forward packs in the modern era during the late 1980s.
Benny Elias was responsible for the reinvention of the hooker's role in rugby league: helping to change it from that of a scrummager to a skilful playmaker at "dummy half" (the player who receives the play-the-ball). He has sometimes been spoken of as "a player with a halfback's talents playing at hooker", yet Elias was still a superb scrummager, as shown when he won three key scrums against the feed in a 1990 play-off against Newcastle. He has now been appointed on the board of the Perth glory football club in Western Australia
Early career
After migrating to Australia at a young age, Elias was a fan of rugby league from very young days and played his first rugby for Holy Cross College RydeHoly Cross College Ryde
Holy Cross College is a Catholic high school in the suburb of Gladesville in Sydney, Australia established in the tradition of the Patrician Brothers.- History and Tradition :...
in the late 1970s as a halfback, representing Australia in the Schoolboys team from 1979 to 1981. He was graded by Balmain in 1981, and transferred quickly to the hooking position where he remained for the rest of his career. When he first played first grade in 1982 his potential as a teenager was immediately noticed, and he developed so well that by 1984 he was widely tipped for major representative honours.
While attending Holy Cross College, Ryde, Elias played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1979 and 1981.
Representative Debuts
These came Elias' way in 1985 when he played in New South Wales' first team to win a State of Origin series, and was selected for the New Zealand tour that year. Elias was subsequently selected for the following year's Kangaroo TourKangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
, which was undefeated through England and France, however Elias was unable to displace Royce Simmons
Royce Simmons
Royce Simmons is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player, currently the head coach of St Helens RLFC in the European Super League...
as the Test hooker.
Elias was instrumental in Balmain's advancement to the NSWRL Grand Final against the Canterbury Bulldogs in 1988, despite experiencing a painful rib cartilage injury during the lead-up to the finals series. Though they lost 12–24 to Canterbury, Elias won the Rugby League Week
Rugby League Week
Rugby League Week is the second highest selling Australian rugby league magazine, behind major competitor Big League...
Player of the Year award (one of only two hookers to achieve this feat). He was selected for the 1988 World Cup, and only a broken thumb kept him out of representative honours in 1989. He was back at his best in Balmain's surge to the Grand Final that year, narrowly missing a vital field-goal attempt in the second half of the overtime loss to the Canberra Raiders, a game in which Steve Walters
Steve Walters
Steve Walters is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s, who at the peak of his career, was considered the best hooker in the game. An Australian Kangaroos and Queensland Maroons representative, he played in the Canberra Raiders' 1st, 2nd and 3rd grand final...
began to assert his dominance as the leading postwar Rugby League Hooker.
State of Origin Career
Elias made 19 appearances for the New South WalesNew 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...
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...
team between 1985 and 1994 and was named man-of-the-match on 3 occasions ( Game I 1990, Game I 1992 and Game III 1994). Elias played State of Origin with incredible passion and is remembered for his fiery clashes with Queensland hookers Kerrod and Steve Walters
Steve Walters
Steve Walters is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s, who at the peak of his career, was considered the best hooker in the game. An Australian Kangaroos and Queensland Maroons representative, he played in the Canberra Raiders' 1st, 2nd and 3rd grand final...
. He was honoured later in his career when he captained the Blues in six games in 1990–1991. An enduring image of State of Origin remains from 1992 when with blood streaming down his face he helped NSW to a 14–6 win in Sydney.
In 2005 he was named one of the 25 greatest ever NSW players.
1990s
Elias produced some of his best form during 1990, including:- A brilliant solo try in the City v Country match in 1990
- A superb performance in New South Wales' first Origin win since 1987
- Two brilliant performance on the Kangaroo tour, including a famous try in the Elland Road Test.
However, 1991 was largely plagued by injury as Alan Jones
Alan Jones (radio broadcaster)
Alan Belford Jones AO is an Australian radio broadcaster, former rugby union and rugby league coach and administrator.Jones hosts Sydney's most popular breakfast radio program, on radio station 2GB...
replaced Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
as Balmain coach, and though Elias was fit again in 1992, he could not displace Steve Walters from his Test spot and had many competitors for the New South Wales jersey.
1993 was controversial, hit hard by suspension which prevented his re-establishing his representative career, but in 1994 Elias showed some wonderful form in the State of Origin series (man of the match in the last game) and even at times for the struggling Balmain coached by former teammate Wayne Pearce. Elias missed out on selection on the 1994 Kangaroo Tour, and at age 31, he announced his retirement as a player in December.
Controversy
Despite being diminutive in size compared to many of his opponents, Elias was a tough and aggressive player, and appeared to welcome physical confrontations. Elias and then South Sydney hooker Mario FenechMario Fenech
Mario Fenech is a Maltese-Australian rugby league personality. He is a former player of the game for New South Wales, and is a regular guest on The Footy Show. His favoured position was as Hooker, where he represented NSW. In his later career he became a Prop-forward...
had a very competitive rivalry until Fenech left South Sydney in 1991. Elias admitted on The NRL Footy Show
The NRL Footy Show
The Footy Show is a Logie Award-winning Australian sports variety television programme, shown on the Nine Network and its affiliates. Following the success of the AFL program of the same name, the Nine Network quickly developed a version for the rugby league market. The rugby league version has...
on 19 July 2007, that he was once successful in getting Fenech sent off when he bit his own hand and then claimed the bite was done by Fenech. Elias was also involved in controversial "physical" incidents with Mark Geyer
Mark Geyer
Mark Geyer , is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-rower, he is currently a rugby league media identity...
and Chris Mortimer
Chris Mortimer
Chris Mortimer is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, New South Wales and for the Australian national side....
among others.
Elias released his autobiography, Balmain Benny, towards the end of his career, touching on many of the controversial on and off-field incidents in his career.
In 2000 Elias was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.
Post retirement career
Following his retirement, Elias graduated from the University of Western SydneyUniversity of Western Sydney
The University of Western Sydney, also known as UWS, is a multi-campus university in the Greater Western region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
and became a successful businessman as one of Australia's retail mobile phone sales pioneers and began rugby league radio commentary in Sydney. Elias also became the rugby league pundit for now defunct SBS
Special Broadcasting Service
The Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
Television 7pm weeknight sports program in the mid-2000s.
During his playing days, Elias was regularly interviewed. Rugby league journalist Roy Masters referred to Elias as the cliché king for his love, and occasionally incorrect use of, clichés and metaphors.
Elias is currently a member of the Wests Tigers Board along with former teammate Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen
Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
.
He has two children and lives in Sydney, Australia.