Brett Mullins
Encyclopedia
Brett Mullins is an Australian former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and early 2000s. He played for the Canberra Raiders
between the years 1990 and 2000. He also represented New South Wales and Australia national rugby league team during his career. He is the son of former Eastern Suburbs
player Bill Mullins
. He has been described as, "one of the most exciting attacking weapons in rugby league."
. He secured his position at fullback following the retirement of Gary Belcher
. During the 1994 season, Mullins overcame several niggling injuries to play in his the Raiders 36–12 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs
. That season he finished with a total of 22 tries, which included four tries in one game against the Newcastle Knights
, which equalled Noa Nadruku's
club record and surpassed the record for a fullback in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
. At the end of the 1994 NSWRL season, he went on the 1994 Kangaroo tour
.
In the 1997 post season, Mullins was selected to play for Australia in two matches of the Super League Test series
against Great Britain
.
Known for his pace, Mullins was later to say that he, "wasn't really that quick. Over 40 metres or 50 metres I guess I was, but I wasn't over 100. I think I used to drink and smoke too much. There's no doubting I had a good time."
In 2000, in his final year with the club, Mullins emulated his father by surpassing the 100 try scoring mark in first grade rugby league. After his on-field altercation with his Mark McLinden
against Parramatta, where he abused and pushed his team-mate, Mullins was dropped from the squad and fined $25,000 dollars. Despite apologising, the incident caused him to fall out of favour with the club.
. His debut for the Rhinos came against the Swinton Lions
on 11 February 2001. However, his time at the club proved to be frustrating, only making 12 appearances and scoring 4 tries.
under former Canberra Raiders
teammate Ricky Stuart
, who was now the coach of the Roosters. He made his Roosters debut at fullback in the 2002 season opening fixture against the South Sydney Rabbitohs
. His career ended in fairy tale style, after playing in the win in the Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors
in 2002.
. He scored an impressive 11 tries in 12 matches in total during all the tour matches. In 1997, he appeared in two Super League Test matches against Great Britain
, scoring two tries in the opening Test at Wembley Stadium
.
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 1990s and early 2000s. He played 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...
between the years 1990 and 2000. He also represented New South Wales and Australia national rugby league team during his career. He is the son of former Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
player Bill Mullins
Bill Mullins
William "Bill" Mullins was a rugby league footballer in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, the major rugby league competition in Australia at the time....
. He has been described as, "one of the most exciting attacking weapons in rugby league."
Canberra
In 1990, Brett Mullins made his first grade debut as a winger. In the 1991 season, he was injured for his side's Grand Final in which they were defeated 19–12 by the Penrith PanthersPenrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
. He secured his position at fullback following the retirement of Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL...
. During the 1994 season, Mullins overcame several niggling injuries to play in his the Raiders 36–12 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
. That season he finished with a total of 22 tries, which included four tries in one game against the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
, which equalled Noa Nadruku's
Noa Nadruku
Noa Nadruku is a Fijian former rugby footballer of the 1980s and 90s. After representing Fiji in rugby union he played rugby league in Australia for the Canberra Raiders and was named as one of the best 25 players for the Raiders' 25-year anniversary...
club record and surpassed the record for a fullback 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...
. At the end of the 1994 NSWRL season, he went on the 1994 Kangaroo tour
1994 Kangaroo Tour
The 1994 Kangaroo Tour was the last played in the conventional format, where the Australian side plays a number of matches against British and French clubs or provincial outfits, in additions to the Test matches...
.
In the 1997 post season, Mullins was selected to play for Australia in two matches of the Super League Test series
Super League Test series
The Super League Test series was a three-Test match series between the Great Britain national rugby league team and Super League's Australian national team held during November 1997 in England...
against Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
.
Known for his pace, Mullins was later to say that he, "wasn't really that quick. Over 40 metres or 50 metres I guess I was, but I wasn't over 100. I think I used to drink and smoke too much. There's no doubting I had a good time."
In 2000, in his final year with the club, Mullins emulated his father by surpassing the 100 try scoring mark in first grade rugby league. After his on-field altercation with his Mark McLinden
Mark McLinden
Mark McLinden is an Australian professional rugby union and rugby league player.Mark McLinden plays for the Queensland Reds, in the Super 14. He previously played Rugby League for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League and Harlequins Rugby League in the European Super League.McLinden's...
against Parramatta, where he abused and pushed his team-mate, Mullins was dropped from the squad and fined $25,000 dollars. Despite apologising, the incident caused him to fall out of favour with the club.
Leeds
In the winter of 2000, Mullins joined the Leeds RhinosLeeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
. His debut for the Rhinos came against the Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
on 11 February 2001. However, his time at the club proved to be frustrating, only making 12 appearances and scoring 4 tries.
Sydney
After an unsuccessful spell at the Rhinos, it seemed as though Mullins career may have been over due to injury. However, just as his father had, Mullins joined the Sydney RoostersSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
under former 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...
teammate Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
, who was now the coach of the Roosters. He made his Roosters debut at fullback in the 2002 season opening fixture against the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
. His career ended in fairy tale style, after playing in the win in the Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in 2002.
New South Wales
In 1993, injury cost Mullins a place in the New South Wales State of Origin side. The following year in 1994, Mullins was again ruled out through injury of the first State of Origin match. He was selected for the other two games, although not in his favoured position of fullback. He was selected on the wing, as Tim Brasher had impressed during the first game to retain his position at fullback. In the 1997 tri-series final, he starred for New South Wales in their 23–22 win, by scoring a hat-trick of tries.Australia
After being in superb form for the Raiders, Mullins was called up for his test debut in 1994 against France at Parramatta Stadium. He was selected in his favoured position of fullback, and he impressed on debut, scoring a try. He later appeared in all four Test matches in the 1994 Kangaroo Tour1994 Kangaroo Tour
The 1994 Kangaroo Tour was the last played in the conventional format, where the Australian side plays a number of matches against British and French clubs or provincial outfits, in additions to the Test matches...
. He scored an impressive 11 tries in 12 matches in total during all the tour matches. In 1997, he appeared in two Super League Test matches against Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, scoring two tries in the opening Test at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.