John Muggleton
Encyclopedia
John Muggleton is a former rugby league
player who represented Parramatta Eels
in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
, New South Wales in State of Origin
competition and the Australian national team (1982). He initially played as a fullback with Balmain, but moved to Parramatta in 1980 and the following year, jumped suddenly into first grade just as the Eels won their first premiership. 1982 saw Muggleton become as a second rower an integral part of Parramatta’s most dominant NRL team, providing a second kicker to support Peter Sterling
, who was later to become his brother-in-law, and showing abundant ball skills to create opportunities for a famous backline of Sterling, Brett Kenny
, Mick Cronin
, Steve Ella
and Eric Grothe, Sr.
Muggleton was chosen for the 1982 Kangaroo tour, which became known as “The Invincibles” as it steamrolled England and France to win all 22 games, mostly by huge margins.
However, after that, Muggleton had a great deal of trouble retaining his place amidst a succession of injuries and much competition from Mark Laurie
, Peter Wynn
and Steve Sharp in Parramatta’s second row. By 1984, he was used chiefly as a reserve, and in 1985 Muggleton had a spell in the UK playing for Hull, alongside Sterling, in the then Rugby League First Division. That year, he played only one match in first grade for Parramatta after returning to Australia, but was recalled successfully in 1986 and, developing as a goalkicker, was able to keep his place and establish himself firmly in 1987 with the retirement of long-standing lock Ray Price. A highlight that year was a booming field goal to beat St. George 21 points to 20 with the last kick of the day. However, in 1988 Muggleton was again out of favour and in his last two years he started only two first grade matches. After this, Muggleton turned to coaching, being most successful with North Sydney’s struggling President’s Cup outfit in 1993 where he lifted them from twelfth to sixth.
Currently Muggleton is an Australian rugby union
coach and the current defensive coach of the Llanelli Scarlets. His previous coaching roles include the Wallabies. He was part of the Georgia rugby union coaching staff at the Rugby World Cup of 2011.
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...
player who represented Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
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...
, New South Wales in 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...
competition and the Australian national team (1982). He initially played as a fullback with Balmain, but moved to Parramatta in 1980 and the following year, jumped suddenly into first grade just as the Eels won their first premiership. 1982 saw Muggleton become as a second rower an integral part of Parramatta’s most dominant NRL team, providing a second kicker to support Peter Sterling
Peter Sterling
Peter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for...
, who was later to become his brother-in-law, and showing abundant ball skills to create opportunities for a famous backline of Sterling, Brett Kenny
Brett Kenny
Brett Kenny is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He was a five-eighth for the Australian national team, the New South Wales Blues representative side and the Parramatta Eels. He played in 17 Tests, made 17 State of Origin appearances and won 4...
, Mick Cronin
Mick Cronin (rugby league)
Michael William "Mick" Cronin OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a goal-kicking centre for the Australian national team and a stalwart for the Parramatta Eels club. He played in 22 Tests and 11 World Cup matches between 1973 and 1982...
, Steve Ella
Steve Ella
Steve Ella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s. He was a utility back for the Australian national team, playing in 4 Tests between 1983 and 1985...
and Eric Grothe, Sr.
Eric Grothe, Sr.
Eric "Guru" Grothe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 1980s. A New South Wales and Australian representative winger, he played club football for the Parramatta Eels with whom he won four NSWRL premierships...
Muggleton was chosen for the 1982 Kangaroo tour, which became known as “The Invincibles” as it steamrolled England and France to win all 22 games, mostly by huge margins.
However, after that, Muggleton had a great deal of trouble retaining his place amidst a succession of injuries and much competition from Mark Laurie
Mark Laurie (rugby league)
Mark Laurie is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s. A New South Wales Country representative centre who later moved to the forwards, he played his club football in the NSWRL Premiership for the Parramatta Eels during their golden period of the 1980s...
, Peter Wynn
Peter Wynn
Peter Wynn is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league player Graeme Wynn. His position of choice was in the second row...
and Steve Sharp in Parramatta’s second row. By 1984, he was used chiefly as a reserve, and in 1985 Muggleton had a spell in the UK playing for Hull, alongside Sterling, in the then Rugby League First Division. That year, he played only one match in first grade for Parramatta after returning to Australia, but was recalled successfully in 1986 and, developing as a goalkicker, was able to keep his place and establish himself firmly in 1987 with the retirement of long-standing lock Ray Price. A highlight that year was a booming field goal to beat St. George 21 points to 20 with the last kick of the day. However, in 1988 Muggleton was again out of favour and in his last two years he started only two first grade matches. After this, Muggleton turned to coaching, being most successful with North Sydney’s struggling President’s Cup outfit in 1993 where he lifted them from twelfth to sixth.
Currently Muggleton is an Australian rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
coach and the current defensive coach of the Llanelli Scarlets. His previous coaching roles include the Wallabies. He was part of the Georgia rugby union coaching staff at the Rugby World Cup of 2011.