Les Boyd
Encyclopedia
Les Boyd is an Australian former rugby league
footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played representative football for the Australian national side in international matches as well as the New South Wales side
in the State of Origin. Boyd played club football in both Australia and England and his usual position was in the second row.
While attending Nyngan High School, Boyd played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1972. From 1976 to 1984 Boyd played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the Western Suburbs Magpies
, then the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
. In 1980, he successfully sued Mirror Newspapers Ltd for publishing an article that stated he was 'fat, slow and predictable'.
In 1982, Boyd was part of the undefeated Kangaroo Tour
ing side who became known as "The Invincibles". While playing for the New South Wales team in 1983 he broke the jaw of Daryl Brohman with his elbow and was later suspended for 12 months. In 1984 while playing for Manly, Boyd was again suspended, this time for a record-equalling 15 months for eye-gouging of Canterbury's Billy Johnstone
.
Boyd played out the rest of his career in England with Warrington
. He helped them to victory in 1986's Rugby League Premiership
Final and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy
for his man-of-the-match performance. He played another three seasons with Warrington before retiring.
In 2000 Boyd was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league. Further honours came in September 2004 when he was named at lock in the Western Suburbs Magpies team of the century.
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 and 80s. He played representative football for the Australian national side in international matches as well as the New South Wales side
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...
in the State of Origin. Boyd played club football in both Australia and England and his usual position was in the second row.
While attending Nyngan High School, Boyd played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1972. From 1976 to 1984 Boyd played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the Western Suburbs Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
, then the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
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...
. In 1980, he successfully sued Mirror Newspapers Ltd for publishing an article that stated he was 'fat, slow and predictable'.
In 1982, Boyd was part of the undefeated Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
ing side who became known as "The Invincibles". While playing for the New South Wales team in 1983 he broke the jaw of Daryl Brohman with his elbow and was later suspended for 12 months. In 1984 while playing for Manly, Boyd was again suspended, this time for a record-equalling 15 months for eye-gouging of Canterbury's Billy Johnstone
Billy Johnstone
Billy Johnstone is an Australian former rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, St. George Dragons and the Gold Coast Chargers...
.
Boyd played out the rest of his career in England with Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. He helped them to victory in 1986's Rugby League Premiership
Rugby League Premiership
The Rugby League Premiership was a competition for British rugby league clubs that operated between 1973 and 1995. As the Super League Premiership the competition continued to operate until 1997....
Final and won the Harry Sunderland Trophy
Harry Sunderland Trophy
The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the Super League Grand Final by the Rugby League Writers' Association. It is named after Harry Sunderland, who was an Australian rugby league football administrator in both Australia and the United Kingdom...
for his man-of-the-match performance. He played another three seasons with Warrington before retiring.
In 2000 Boyd 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. Further honours came in September 2004 when he was named at lock in the Western Suburbs Magpies team of the century.