Owen Wright
Encyclopedia
Owen Grant Wright is a New Zealand
former rugby league
player who represented his country
in sixteen Tests, including in matches that counted towards the 1988 World Cup.
His brother Nick also represented New Zealand while his father Owen and his uncles Jack and Joe all represented the New Zealand Māori side
.
player in the Auckland Rugby League
competition. He won several trophies while at Otahuhu, including both the Lipscombe Cup
for sportsman of the year and Rothville Trophy
for player of the year in 1984.
In 1974 Wright was an Under-17 and Under-19 Auckland representative. He played for the Under-21's in 1975 before making his senior debut for Auckland
in 1978.
Wright represented the New Zealand Māori team
, including touring Great Britain and at the 1986 Pacific Cup
.
Wright remained in Auckland despite having offers from professional clubs in England and Australia. In 1986 he played for the Manukau Magpies
club.
in the national provincial competition.
matches for Radio Sport
since 1995.
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...
former 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...
player who represented his country
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
in sixteen Tests, including in matches that counted towards the 1988 World Cup.
His brother Nick also represented New Zealand while his father Owen and his uncles Jack and Joe all represented the New Zealand Māori side
New Zealand Maori rugby league team
-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...
.
Playing career
Wright was an Otahuhu LeopardsOtahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
player in the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competition. He won several trophies while at Otahuhu, including both the Lipscombe Cup
Auckland Rugby League club trophies
-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...
for sportsman of the year and Rothville Trophy
Auckland Rugby League club trophies
-Trophies:There are approximately 24 trophies which have been competed for in Auckland Rugby League history by clubs. These include the following for teams; Fox Memorial Shield, Rukutai Shield, Roope Rooster, Stormont Shield, Kiwi Shield, A.R.L Trophy, Sharman Cup, Lawson Cup, Walmsley Shield, ARL...
for player of the year in 1984.
In 1974 Wright was an Under-17 and Under-19 Auckland representative. He played for the Under-21's in 1975 before making his senior debut for Auckland
Auckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
in 1978.
Wright represented the New Zealand Māori team
New Zealand Maori rugby league team
-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...
, including touring Great Britain and at the 1986 Pacific Cup
1986 Pacific Cup
-Pool B:-Play offs:-Final:...
.
Wright remained in Auckland despite having offers from professional clubs in England and Australia. In 1986 he played for the Manukau Magpies
Manukau Magpies
The Manukau Magpies are a rugby league football club based in Manukau, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. The club was established in 1910.-History:...
club.
Coaching career
Between 1991 and 1993 Wright coached AucklandAuckland rugby league team
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. The Auckland Rugby League team has traditionally been a powerhouse of New Zealand domestic rugby league...
in the national provincial competition.
Later years
Wright now works in radio. He has commentated on New Zealand WarriorsNew 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...
matches for Radio Sport
Radio Sport
Radio Sport is a New Zealand sports radio network and the talkback sister network of Newstalk ZB. It has commentary rights for most cricket matches, international and domestic rugby union games, some NRL rugby league games, trans-Tasman basketball and New Zealand tennis tournaments. The network...
since 1995.