Craig Wing
Encyclopedia
Craig Wing is an Australian rugby union
player. He currently plays rugby union
in Japan. A former rugby league player for New South Wales
State of Origin and Australian international utility player, Wing played for South Sydney Rabbitohs
and Sydney Roosters
.
in round 1 of the 1998 NRL season. Craig Wing was a passionate Rabbitohs fan all his life and making it in first grade with the Rabbitohs was a highlight of his life. In 1999 Craig played his final season at the Rabbitohs due to the Rabbitohs being kicked out of the NRL competition. This was a low point in Craigs life as he only wanted to play for the Rabbitohs. He stuck with the Rabbitohs even when the club was kicked out waiting for the court decision. When the decision was not in Souths favor Wing had no choice but to move on if he wished to play in the NRL. He was than signed by the Sydney City Roosters for the 2000 season.
. He moved to the club in 2000 and originally started as a halfback
partnering Brad Fittler
. Wing was later moved to hooker in 2003 when halfback Brett Finch
joined the club. Wing has also played five-eighth on occasion.
Wing has played in four NRL
Grand Finals with the Roosters: 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004, a feat achieved by very few players in the NRL. He was in the team which won the 2002 Grand Final where he scored one try. After his side's loss in the 2003 NRL grand final
, Wing was selected to go on the 2003 Kangaroo tour
.
, the club where he started his career.
While the Roosters' offer was higher, Wing said he felt more comfortable accepting the Souths offer as it was a guaranteed four year deal compared to the Roosters' 2 year deal with an option for a further 2 years
Wing came under tremendous criticism for allowing himself to be paraded at a high profile Souths
press conference while still contracted at the Sydney Roosters
. It could be argued that the Roosters started the whole problem in the first place however, as they broke the news of Craig Wing's signing on their website before Souths had officially signed him, in an apparent attempt to steal Souths thunder. In any case, Wing still apologised to the Sydney Roosters 'fans'. He was jeered on 23 June 2007, by the Roosters fans at a game against the Parramatta Eels
, his first game after signing for Souths.
In round 1 of the season, Wing was injured in a tackle in only the 8th minute of the game against his old club the Roosters. Wing was in the process of being tackled by Anthony Tupou
and Braith Anasta
, when Riley Brown
shoulder charged Wing's back. Wing was sidelined for 12 weeks. In a much awaited return, Wing helped Souths to only their fourth win of the season in his return from injury, beating bottom placed North Queensland Cowboys
29–28 in the greatest comeback in South's history, having been down 28–4 at one stage of the game.
team, City Origin and the Australian Kangaroos. Many of his appearances have been as a reserve due to the fact that he can cover a number of positions.
He has been named in the Australia training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
. He was selected for City in the City vs Country
match on 8 May 2009.
In May 2009, he was named in the 17 man squad to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin
match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne.
in Japan. Craig will finish his NRL career having played over 250 first grade games for both the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. During his career he has won an NRL premiership, played for Australia in 16 Test matches and represented NSW on 12 occasions.
His switch to rugby union has attracted interest from the Philippines national rugby union team
and they have approached him to play for them through his mother who is Filipino and he will also become eligible to represent Japan
.
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...
player. He currently plays 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...
in Japan. A former rugby league player for New South Wales
New 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 and Australian international utility player, Wing played for 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...
and Sydney Roosters
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...
.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Craig Wing was a South Sydney junior and played through the Junior ranks at South Sydney from Harold Mathews to SG Ball and continued this path all the way to First grade where he made his debut against the Auckland Warriors at Mt Smart StadiumMt Smart Stadium
Mt Smart Stadium, formerly Ericsson Stadium, is a stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the home ground of National Rugby League team, the New Zealand Warriors...
in round 1 of the 1998 NRL season. Craig Wing was a passionate Rabbitohs fan all his life and making it in first grade with the Rabbitohs was a highlight of his life. In 1999 Craig played his final season at the Rabbitohs due to the Rabbitohs being kicked out of the NRL competition. This was a low point in Craigs life as he only wanted to play for the Rabbitohs. He stuck with the Rabbitohs even when the club was kicked out waiting for the court decision. When the decision was not in Souths favor Wing had no choice but to move on if he wished to play in the NRL. He was than signed by the Sydney City Roosters for the 2000 season.
Roosters
Wing has played most of his professional rugby league at 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...
. He moved to the club in 2000 and originally started as a halfback
Rugby league positions
A rugby league football team consists of thirteen players on the field, with four substitutes on the bench. Players are divided into two general categories: "forwards" and "backs"....
partnering Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
. Wing was later moved to hooker in 2003 when halfback Brett Finch
Brett Finch
Brett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League...
joined the club. Wing has also played five-eighth on occasion.
Wing has played in four NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
Grand Finals with the Roosters: 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004, a feat achieved by very few players in the NRL. He was in the team which won the 2002 Grand Final where he scored one try. After his side's loss in the 2003 NRL grand final
2003 NRL grand final
The 2003 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding match of the 2003 NRL season. In what was a contest of Sydney's east versus west, defending premiers and match favourites, the Sydney Roosters played against minor premiers and underdogs, the Penrith Panthers...
, Wing was selected to go on the 2003 Kangaroo tour
2003 Kangaroo Tour
The 2003 Kangaroo Tour was a six-match tour by the Australia national rugby league team of France, Wales and England. The last three matches were all Tests against Great Britain...
.
Return to Souths
Wing announced in June 2007 that he would be leaving the Roosters at the end of the 2007 NRL season to take up a four-year contract with the South Sydney RabbitohsSouth 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...
, the club where he started his career.
While the Roosters' offer was higher, Wing said he felt more comfortable accepting the Souths offer as it was a guaranteed four year deal compared to the Roosters' 2 year deal with an option for a further 2 years
Wing came under tremendous criticism for allowing himself to be paraded at a high profile Souths
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...
press conference while still contracted at the Sydney Roosters
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...
. It could be argued that the Roosters started the whole problem in the first place however, as they broke the news of Craig Wing's signing on their website before Souths had officially signed him, in an apparent attempt to steal Souths thunder. In any case, Wing still apologised to the Sydney Roosters 'fans'. He was jeered on 23 June 2007, by the Roosters fans at a game against 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...
, his first game after signing for Souths.
In round 1 of the season, Wing was injured in a tackle in only the 8th minute of the game against his old club the Roosters. Wing was in the process of being tackled by Anthony Tupou
Anthony Tupou
Anthony Tupou is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League...
and Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League...
, when Riley Brown
Riley Brown
Riley Brown is an Australian professional rugby league player who is currently contracted with the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at Hooker.-Playing career:...
shoulder charged Wing's back. Wing was sidelined for 12 weeks. In a much awaited return, Wing helped Souths to only their fourth win of the season in his return from injury, beating bottom placed North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
29–28 in the greatest comeback in South's history, having been down 28–4 at one stage of the game.
Representative career
Wing has represented the New South Wales State of OriginRugby 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, City Origin and the Australian Kangaroos. Many of his appearances have been as a reserve due to the fact that he can cover a number of positions.
He has been named in the Australia training 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.
In May 2009, he was named in the 17 man squad to represent New South Wales in the opening 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...
match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne.
Switch to Rugby union
Wing announced on 21 July 2009 that he would be leaving South Sydney to play rugby unionRugby 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...
in Japan. Craig will finish his NRL career having played over 250 first grade games for both the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. During his career he has won an NRL premiership, played for Australia in 16 Test matches and represented NSW on 12 occasions.
His switch to rugby union has attracted interest from the Philippines national rugby union team
Philippines national rugby union team
The Philippines national rugby union team, nicknamed the "Volcanoes" represents the Philippines in international rugby union. The Philippines have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have been playing in the Asian 5 Nations tournaments since its inception in 2008. Currently they are...
and they have approached him to play for them through his mother who is Filipino and he will also become eligible to represent Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
.