Chris Close
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Choppy" Close (born 5 February 1959) is an Australian retired professional rugby league
footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s. A robust three-quarter, he represented Australia internationally and Queensland in State of Origin
, and played club football in Queensland and New South Wales. Close has the distinction of being one of a handful of players to be named man-of-the-match in State of Origin more than once. In fact the first two State of Origin man-of-the-match awards went to him.
Hailing from Cunnamulla, Queensland
, where he started playing football in the 1970s, Close scored 52 tries during the 1978 season. Chris played his first A Grade game for the Beaudesert
Kingfishers before joining Brisbane Rugby League premiership club, Valleys
. A forward-sized centre who also excelled on the wing in his early career, Close represented Combined Brisbane
in the 1979 Amco Cup
competition and made his debut for Queensland the same year.
In 1980, while playing for Redcliffe
, Close was chosen on the Australian tour of New Zealand
but it was his consecutive man-of-the-match performances in the first two State of Origin
matches in 1980 and 1981 that turned heads. He was a fierce competitor, as his back-hander to the face of opposing winger Eric Grothe
in 1981's State of Origin match
testifies.
Close signed with Manly in 1982 and played in the Grand Final with them that year and again in 1983, which were both lost to Parramatta. Close continued to be a regular visitor to the State of Origin arena during the 1980s, becoming one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once.
Close appeared in three Tests on the 1985 tour of New Zealand but failed to tour with the Kangaroos the following year.
After playing in Manly's reserve grade grand final loss in 1987, he linked with the newly formed Gold Coast
club where his experience was used to good effect in the forwards.
After his retirement as a player, Close filled the role of Queensland State of Origin team
manager under Paul Vautin
(1995–97), Wayne Bennett (1998 & 2001-4) and Mark Murray
(1999-00). In 2000 Close was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in 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 1970s, '80s and '90s. A robust three-quarter, he represented Australia internationally and Queensland 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...
, and played club football in Queensland and New South Wales. Close has the distinction of being one of a handful of players to be named man-of-the-match in State of Origin more than once. In fact the first two State of Origin man-of-the-match awards went to him.
Hailing from Cunnamulla, Queensland
Cunnamulla, Queensland
Cunnamulla is a small town that lies on the Warrego River in south west Queensland, Australia, south of Charleville, and approximately west of the state capital, Brisbane....
, where he started playing football in the 1970s, Close scored 52 tries during the 1978 season. Chris played his first A Grade game for the Beaudesert
Beaudesert, Queensland
Beaudesert is a town located on the Mount Lindesay Highway, some 64 km south of Brisbane. It is possibly named after Beau Desert Park, the property of Charles Henry Alexander Paget, 6th Marquess of Anglesey in Staffordshire, England...
Kingfishers before joining Brisbane Rugby League premiership club, Valleys
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Diehards were an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.-History:...
. A forward-sized centre who also excelled on the wing in his early career, Close represented Combined Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
in the 1979 Amco Cup
1979 Amco Cup
-Format:The competition changed from a knock-out to 4 groups of 4, with the 4 group winners progressing to the semi-finals.-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Semi finals:-Final:-Sources:...
competition and made his debut for Queensland the same year.
In 1980, while playing for Redcliffe
Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a rugby league team from the city of Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia. The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947, accepted into the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1960, and since 1996 have played in the Queensland Cup....
, Close was chosen on the Australian tour of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
but it was his consecutive man-of-the-match performances in the first two 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...
matches in 1980 and 1981 that turned heads. He was a fierce competitor, as his back-hander to the face of opposing winger Eric Grothe
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...
in 1981's State of Origin match
1981 Rugby League State of Origin game
The second ever Australian rugby league State of Origin fixture of 1981 featured a stunning comeback by the Maroons, an all-in-brawl, a 90-metre try by Eric Grothe, Sr...
testifies.
Close signed with Manly in 1982 and played in the Grand Final with them that year and again in 1983, which were both lost to Parramatta. Close continued to be a regular visitor to the State of Origin arena during the 1980s, becoming one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once.
Close appeared in three Tests on the 1985 tour of New Zealand but failed to tour with the Kangaroos the following year.
After playing in Manly's reserve grade grand final loss in 1987, he linked with the newly formed Gold Coast
Gold Coast Chargers
Gold Coast were a professional Rugby league football club which played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership from 1988 to 1994, the Australian Rugby League premiership from 1995 to 1997, and the National Rugby League premiership in 1998...
club where his experience was used to good effect in the forwards.
After his retirement as a player, Close filled the role of Queensland State of Origin team
Queensland State of Origin Team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
manager under Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches...
(1995–97), Wayne Bennett (1998 & 2001-4) and Mark Murray
Mark Murray (rugby league)
Mark Murray is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia in test matches and Queensland in the State of Origin. His position of choice was halfback...
(1999-00). In 2000 Close 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.