.gif)
Steve Simpson (rugby league footballer)
Encyclopedia
Steve Simpson is a former Australian professional rugby league
footballer. He played his whole career for the Newcastle Knights
in the National Rugby League
(NRL) competition. He has also been selected to represent Country Origin
, New South Wales and Australia. He primarily plays at second-row.
Simpson was first selected to represent New South Wales as a second-rower for all three games of the 2002 State of Origin
series.
Simpson made his test debut in Australia's 64–10 defeat of Great Britain
in July, 2002. At the end of the 2003 NRL season, he went on the 2003 Kangaroo tour
.
Injuries prevented Simpson from being available for the 2003 and 2004 State of Origin series, he played in all games of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 series. He also participated in the 2006 and 2007 ANZAC Test
s against New Zealand
.
In August, 2008, Simpson was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
. He was selected for Country in the City vs Country
match on 8 May 2009. However, he did not play in the match after withdrawing with injury.
He was offered to play for the Ireland national rugby league team
in the 2008 Rugby World Cup but declined.
On the 10th of August 2010, Simpson announced his retirement after an ongoing knee injury did not respond well to treatment. In his career Simpson has played 216 games and scored 32 tries.
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. He played his whole career for the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
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...
(NRL) competition. He has also been selected to represent Country Origin
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...
, New South Wales and Australia. He primarily plays at second-row.
Simpson was first selected to represent New South Wales as a second-rower for all three games of the 2002 State of Origin
2002 Rugby League State of Origin series
The 2002 State of Origin series was the 21st year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules...
series.
Simpson made his test debut in Australia's 64–10 defeat of Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
in July, 2002. At the end of the 2003 NRL season, he went 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...
.
Injuries prevented Simpson from being available for the 2003 and 2004 State of Origin series, he played in all games of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 series. He also participated in the 2006 and 2007 ANZAC Test
ANZAC 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...
s against 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...
.
In August, 2008, Simpson was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos 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 Country 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. However, he did not play in the match after withdrawing with injury.
He was offered to play for the Ireland national rugby league team
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
in the 2008 Rugby World Cup but declined.
On the 10th of August 2010, Simpson announced his retirement after an ongoing knee injury did not respond well to treatment. In his career Simpson has played 216 games and scored 32 tries.