Richard Swain
Encyclopedia
Richard Swain is a retired professional rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand
international representative Hooker, he played club football in Australia for the Hunter Mariners
, Melbourne Storm
(with whom he won the 1999 NRL premiership) and Brisbane Broncos
and in England for Hull.
& Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
club. With the demise of the club at the end of the year he moved south, joining the Melbourne Storm
.
Swain never missed a game for the Melbourne Storm from the club's first ever match in round 1, 1998 up until his final game for the club in round 26, 2002. This included the 1999 Grand Final win against St. George Illawarra. He was also the first player in the National Rugby League
to top 1000 Tackles in a season and was also Super League
's "Top Tackler" in 2004 with 907 tackles for Hull. Swain spent 2003 with the Brisbane Broncos
before joining Hull for four years in the Super League
.
Swain played a major part in Hull winning the Challenge Cup in 2005 as it was his last gasp charge down of Kevin Sinfeild's drop goal attempt that destroyed Leeds last chance of taking the game to Extra Time. Kevin Sinfield was named Lance Todd Trophy
winner 5 minutes from time, when at the time Leed's were winning but most people believed Richard Swain should have been the man of the match, not just for his charge down but for his efforts throughout the game.
Swain retired half way through the 2007 season due to a back injury.
. Swain went on to play in nineteen tests for his country, including at the 2000 World Cup
.
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 2000s. A New Zealand
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...
international representative Hooker, he played club football in Australia for the Hunter Mariners
Hunter Mariners
The Hunter Mariners were an Australian rugby league club based in the Hunter Valley region's largest city, Newcastle. Hunter was formed in mid 1995 and was later disbanded at the end of 1997. The club was formed because of the Super League war, which was the rivalry between the traditional...
, Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
(with whom he won the 1999 NRL premiership) and Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
and in England for Hull.
Early years
Swain went to Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth, the same school as Canberra Raiders captain Alan TongueAlan Tongue
Alan Tongue in is a retired professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s and 2010s. A Country New South Wales representative forward, he captained of the Canberra Raiders for several seasons in the National Rugby League competition.-Early years:While attending Farrer Memorial Agricultural...
& Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
Playing career
Swain made his first grade debut in 1997, playing for the new Hunter MarinersHunter Mariners
The Hunter Mariners were an Australian rugby league club based in the Hunter Valley region's largest city, Newcastle. Hunter was formed in mid 1995 and was later disbanded at the end of 1997. The club was formed because of the Super League war, which was the rivalry between the traditional...
club. With the demise of the club at the end of the year he moved south, joining the Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
.
Swain never missed a game for the Melbourne Storm from the club's first ever match in round 1, 1998 up until his final game for the club in round 26, 2002. This included the 1999 Grand Final win against St. George Illawarra. He was also the first player in the National Rugby League
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...
to top 1000 Tackles in a season and was also Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
's "Top Tackler" in 2004 with 907 tackles for Hull. Swain spent 2003 with the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
before joining Hull for four years in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
.
Swain played a major part in Hull winning the Challenge Cup in 2005 as it was his last gasp charge down of Kevin Sinfeild's drop goal attempt that destroyed Leeds last chance of taking the game to Extra Time. Kevin Sinfield was named Lance Todd Trophy
Lance Todd Trophy
The Lance Todd Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in rugby league football's Challenge Cup Final.The trophy was introduced in 1946, in memory of Lance Todd, the New Zealand-born player and administrator, who was killed in a road accident during the Second World War...
winner 5 minutes from time, when at the time Leed's were winning but most people believed Richard Swain should have been the man of the match, not just for his charge down but for his efforts throughout the game.
Swain retired half way through the 2007 season due to a back injury.
Representative career
Swain declared his eligibility for New Zealand in 1999 and was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis for that years ANZAC TestANZAC Test
The Anzac Test is an annual rugby league football test match . The test match is played annually between Australia and New Zealand on or around Anzac Day for the Bill Kelly Memorial Trophy.-Origins:Australia and New Zealand had competed in Rugby League Tests since 1908...
. Swain went on to play in nineteen tests for his country, including at the 2000 World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
.