Michael Withers

Michael Withers (born 16 May 1976) is a former Ireland international rugby league footballer who played as a fullback, wing and centre in the 1990s and 2000s. He played club football in Australia for the Balmain Tigers in the National Rugby League, and in England with the Wigan Warriors and the Bradford Bulls in the Super League.

For the Australian water polo player, see Michael Withers (water polo).

Michael Withers
Withers playing for Wigan in 2007
Personal information
Born (1976-05-16) 16 May 1976
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Weight93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
PositionFullback, Wing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–98 Balmain Tigers 40 12 45 0 138
1999–06 Bradford Bulls 177 108 0 1 433
2007 Wigan Warriors 7 1 0 0 4
Total 224 121 45 1 575
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000–07 Ireland
Source: [1][2]

Background

Withers was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Playing career

Australia

While attending John Paul II Senior High School in Marayong, New South Wales, Withers was selected for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1994.[3] In the same year Withers won the Australian Dally M Junior Player of the Year.

England

Withers played for Bradford Bulls at centre in the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St Helens R.F.C.. Withers qualified for Great Britain through his Irish grandparents and he played for Ireland in the 2000 World Cup. He played for the Bradford Bulls at fullback and scored 3 tries in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. As a result, he was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy. He is also the only player to have recorded a hat-trick in a Grand Final, doing so against Wigan Warriors for Bradford Bulls in 2001.

Withers was selected for Great Britain in the 2001 Ashes Series, but did not play due to injury concerns.[4] Withers later withdrew himself from the Great Britain squad without playing a game.[5] His initial selection in the Great Britain training squad by Australian coach David Waite created some controversy.[6]

As Super League VI champions, the Bulls played against 2001 NRL Premiers, the Newcastle Knights in the 2002 World Club Challenge. Withers played fullback and scored two tries in Bradford's victory. Withers played for the Bradford Bulls at fullback, scoring a try in their 2002 Super League Grand Final loss against St. Helens. Withers played for the Bradford Bulls at centre in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory against the Wigan Warriors. Having won Super League VIII, Bradford played against 2003 NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Withers played at fullback in the Bulls' 22–4 victory. He also played for Bradford at fullback in their 2004 Super League Grand Final loss against the Leeds Rhinos. Withers played for the Bradford Bulls at fullback in their 2005 Super League Grand Final victory against Leeds Rhinos. He scored 108 tries in 170 games for the Bulls. He has won three Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with the Bulls. As Super League champions Bradford faced National Rugby League premiers Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge. Withers played at fullback in the Bulls' 30–10 victory.

Withers made his Wigan début in a 16–10 defeat by Warrington Wolves at the JJB Stadium on 9 February 2007. In June 2007 a knee injury forced Withers to retire.[7][8]

References
  1. Michael Withers Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. NRL Stats
  3. "Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". Sporting Pulse. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  4. "Withers out of Australia Test". AAP Sports News. 20 November 2001. Archived from the original (fee required) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  5. "Withers turns his back on Britain". AAP Sports News. 22 December 2001. Archived from the original (fee required) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  6. "Australian picked in Britain squad for Kangaroos Test series". AAP Sports News. 18 October 2001. Archived from the original (fee required) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
  7. "Withers retirement stuns Warriors". BBC. 27 June 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  8. "Michael Withers Forced To Retire". Wiganwarriors.com. 27 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
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