Ryan Hoffman
Encyclopedia
Ryan Hoffman is an Australian professional rugby league
footballer for the Wigan Warriors
of the Super League
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-rower, he played his whole NRL career with Melbourne before moving to England, and will rejoin the Storm from 2012.
, played professional football for the Canberra Raiders
, representing Queensland in the pre-Origin era. Hoffman attended renowned rugby league school, St Gregory's College, Campbelltown
.
Following the 2006 NRL Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos
, Hoffman sat in the middle of Telstra Stadium
in tears, an image which was printed in newspapers all around Australia.
In 2007, Hoffman was part of the Melbourne team which won the premiership, defeating Manly
by 34–8. He played in the 2009 NRL Grand Final
defeat of the Parramatta Eels
, scoring the opening try.
Hoffman has won two grand finals.
club Wigan Warriors
, where he was given the #16 shirt, replacing Phil Bailey
at second-row. Hoffman scored on his first-grade debut for the side at the season-opening Magic Weekend
event against the club's rivals, St Helens RLFC. He then featured in the 2011 World Club Challenge
where Wigan lost 15–21 to St George Illawarra Dragons
in their first home game of the season. In Rounds 4 and 5, Hoffman scored one try apiece against Hull and Huddersfield Giants
respectively. Another try at Hull Kingston Rovers
in Round 9 made his record four tries from his ten starting games for Wigan.
Hoffman has signed a new deal to return to the NRL and play for Melbourne Storm in 2012
He was enlisted as the 18th man in the 2007 ANZAC Test
against New Zealand. In October, 2007, he was selected in the run-on side for the Centenary Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
Again as 18th man, Hoffman was on stand-by for the 2007 New South Wales State of Origin Team in game 1 of the series. He was selected on the bench in game 2 and 3 of the same series.
In 2008, Hoffman was named in the New South Wales starting side in Origin I, II and III.
In August, 2008, he was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
He was selected for City in the City vs Country
match on 8 May 2009.
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 for the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
of the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-rower, he played his whole NRL career with Melbourne before moving to England, and will rejoin the Storm from 2012.
Early life
Hoffman's father, Jay HoffmanJay Hoffman (rugby league)
Jay Hoffman is an Australian former professional rugby league player for theCanberra Raiders in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. Hoffman primarily played at hooker. He is the father of Melbourne Storm second-rower, Ryan Hoffman.Prior to his move to Canberra, Hoffman played for...
, played professional football for the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
, representing Queensland in the pre-Origin era. Hoffman attended renowned rugby league school, St Gregory's College, Campbelltown
St Gregory's College, Campbelltown
St Gregory's College is a Catholic, secondary, day and boarding school for boys, located in Campbelltown, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
.
Melbourne Storm (2003–2010)
A a big backrower with big ball playing skills, he started his NRL career with Melbourne in 2003. In 2006, his improving form led to him being selected for City Origin for the first time. It also earned him the Storm's Forward of the Year award. In addition, he has been named in the second row for Melbourne Storm's team of the decade.Following the 2006 NRL Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, Hoffman sat in the middle of Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
in tears, an image which was printed in newspapers all around Australia.
In 2007, Hoffman was part of the Melbourne team which won the premiership, defeating Manly
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
by 34–8. He played in the 2009 NRL Grand Final
2009 NRL Grand Final
The 2009 NRL Grand Final was a rugby league football game played on 4 October 2009 at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney. It was the 12th annual championship game of the National Rugby League staged to decide the premiers of the 2009 NRL season....
defeat of the 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...
, scoring the opening try.
Hoffman has won two grand finals.
Wigan Warriors (2011–present)
In July 2010, Hoffman signed with Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, where he was given the #16 shirt, replacing Phil Bailey
Phil Bailey
Phil Bailey is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the European Super League competition. Bailey is a former player for New South Wales and Australia. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Northern Eagles...
at second-row. Hoffman scored on his first-grade debut for the side at the season-opening Magic Weekend
Magic Weekend
The Magic Weekend, previously Millennium Magic, is a concept by the Rugby Football League to stage an entire round of Super League matches in prestigious and exciting cities to showcase the sport....
event against the club's rivals, St Helens RLFC. He then featured in the 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...
where Wigan lost 15–21 to 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...
in their first home game of the season. In Rounds 4 and 5, Hoffman scored one try apiece against Hull and Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
respectively. Another try at Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
in Round 9 made his record four tries from his ten starting games for Wigan.
Hoffman has signed a new deal to return to the NRL and play for Melbourne Storm in 2012
Representative career
While attending Campbelltown St. Gregory's College, Hoffman played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2002.He was enlisted as the 18th man in the 2007 ANZAC Test
ANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
against New Zealand. In October, 2007, he was selected in the run-on side for the Centenary Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
Again as 18th man, Hoffman was on stand-by for the 2007 New South Wales State of Origin Team in game 1 of the series. He was selected on the bench in game 2 and 3 of the same series.
In 2008, Hoffman was named in the New South Wales starting side in Origin I, II and III.
In August, 2008, he was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
He was selected for City 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.