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Adrian Morley

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Adrian Morley
Personal information
Full nameAdrian Paul Morley[1]
Born (1977-05-10) 10 May 1977 (age 47)
Salford, Greater Manchester, England
Playing information
Height6 ft 2 in (1.89 m)[2]
Weight16 st 7 lb (105 kg)[2]
PositionProp, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–00 Leeds Rhinos 149 35 0 0 140
2001–06 Sydney Roosters 114 8 0 0 32
2005(loan) → Bradford Bulls 6 0 0 0 0
2007–13 Warrington Wolves 173 9 0 0 36
2013(loan) → Swinton Lions 1 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Salford Red Devils 54 2 0 0 8
Total 497 54 0 0 216
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1996–07 Great Britain 30 3 0 0 12
2000–12 England 23 1 0 0 4
Source: [3][4][5][6]

Adrian Paul Morley (born 10 May 1977) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop or second-row forward. With a reputation as a tough, uncompromising competitor, Morley was the first British player to become a Grand Final winner in both the National Rugby League and Super League.

Morley's professional career began with Leeds Rhinos in 1995, with whom he won the Challenge Cup in 1999. He then played seven seasons with Australian club Sydney Roosters, winning the 2002 NRL Premiership and 2003 World Club Challenge, returning to England for a brief spell with Bradford Bulls, where he won the Super League Grand Final in 2005. In 2007, he signed for Warrington Wolves, winning three more Challenge Cups, before finishing his career with his hometown club, the Salford Red Devils, where he retired in 2015.

At international level, Morley made his debut in 1996, and went on to represent Great Britain in the 1996 Lions tour, and England at the Rugby League World Cup in 2000 and 2008. He earned over 50 caps during his career (30 for Great Britain and 23 for England), and was awarded a golden cap in recognition of this feat. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Club career

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Leeds

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Born in Salford, Morley played junior rugby league for Eccles before signing for Leeds.[7] He made his first team debut for Leeds in April 1995 in a 44–19 win against Hull.[8] He played for Leeds between 1995 and 2000. Morley played for Leeds as a second-row in their 1998 Super League Grand Final loss to Wigan. He won the Challenge Cup with Leeds in 1999 when they defeated London Broncos 52–16 at Wembley.

Sydney

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In July 2000, Morley agreed to join Australian side Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League at the end of the season, who were being coached by former Leeds boss Graham Murray.[9]

In 2002, he helped the Roosters win their first title for 27 years, playing in the 2002 NRL Grand Final victory against New Zealand Warriors.[10]

In 2004, he became the first English player to appear in three Australian Grand Finals.[11]

In 2005, he briefly returned to England, signing a short-term deal with Bradford Bulls,[12] and helping them defeat his former club Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Super League Grand Final.[13]

In July 2006, he played his final game for the Roosters against Canterbury Bulldogs, receiving a seven-match ban for kneeing Corey Hughes, which meant he could not play for the club again for the rest of the season.[14]

Warrington

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In June 2006, Morley turned down a contract extension with the Roosters, and signed a four-year deal with Warrington Wolves, beginning at the start of the 2007 season.[15] He was also appointed captain of Warrington.[citation needed] It was while playing for Warrington that he made his 400th competitive senior appearance.[citation needed]

Morley guided Warrington to Challenge Cup glory in 2009, beating Huddersfield in the final at Wembley. He was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test in 2010.[16]

Morley captained Warrington in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[17][18]

In 2012, he played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.,[19][20] and played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.[21][22]

At the start of the 2013 season, Morley suffered a torn bicep, which kept him out of action for about three months.[23] While returning to fitness, he played one game for Swinton Lions on dual registration, helping them defeat North Wales Crusaders in the Northern Rail Cup.[24] At the end of the season, he played his final game for Warrington in the 2013 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.[25][26]

Salford

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Morley signed a one-year deal for his hometown club Salford for the 2014 season.[27] The 36-year-old forward was appointed the Salford Red Devils' captain at the start of the 2014 season.[citation needed]

On 10 September 2015, Morley announced that he would retire from playing rugby league at the end of the 2015 season.[28]

On 14 October 2015, it was announced that Morley would play one more rugby league match. In his last match, he represented his début club, Leeds, in a one-off exhibition game against New Zealand.[29]

International career

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Great Britain

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Morley made his international début for Great Britain in 1996.

In the 1997 post-season, Morley was selected to play for Great Britain in all three matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.

He was selected to play against Australia in the 2003 Ashes Series. In the first Test, he was sent off 12 seconds into the game after a high tackle on Robbie Kearns.[30] He avoided a suspension and played in the remaining two Tests.[31]

In 2007, he captained Great Britain for their Test against France.[32]

England

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He was offered a chance to play alongside his brother Chris Morley, who played for Wales, but chose to commit to England in the 2000 World Cup.[33]

Morley was named in the 24-man England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and also played against Wales at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster prior to England's departure.[34][35][36] In Group A's first match against Papua New Guinea he played from the interchange bench in England's victory.

Morley was to lead England in the 2010 Four Nations but was ruled out after injuring himself in a warm up match against the New Zealand Māori rugby league team.[37]

Morley played for England in the 2011 Four Nations. England made the tournament's final and in the final, Morley made his 50th international appearance.[38]

Morley is one of a handful of players in the sport's history who have been capped over 50 times at international level, and was awarded a 'golden cap' in recognition of this achievement.[39]

Playing style

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Morley played as either a prop or second-row forward, and was renowned for his hard-hitting style,[40] establishing a reputation as an "enforcer".[41] However, he was often criticised for his poor discipline, particularly during his time in the NRL with Sydney Roosters, where he was suspended six times within two years.[42]

He is generally regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation,[43] and was named in the Rugby League World XIII in 2003.[44] In 2022, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.[45]

Post-playing career

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After retiring as a player, he returned to Leeds Rhinos, where he coached the club's Academy team during the 2017 season. He left the club at the end of the season to pursue a career outside of rugby league.[46]

In 2021, he became a trustee of the Salford Red Devils Foundation.[47]

Personal life

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In 2004, Morley was convicted for drink-driving.[48]

Morley's autobiography, "Moz", was released on 12 November 2012 and reprinted twice in the run up to Christmas 2012.

Morley's son, Leo, has played for the Salford Red Devils scholarship team.[49]

References

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  1. ^ "Adrian Paul Morley". Companies House. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Adrian Morley Leeds Rhinos". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Player Summary: Adrian Morley". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Trophies, training and troubles - Adrian Morley's Leeds Rhinos memories and one regret". Leeds Live. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Leeds Rhinos Nostalgia: Big-hitting Adrian Morley had a career to remember". Yorkshire Evening Post. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  9. ^ Wilson, Andy (31 July 2000). "Big Pommie braced for the welcome down under". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  10. ^ "Morley's big hit has Roosters crowing". The Guardian. 7 October 2002. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Historic third grand final for Rooster Morley". The Guardian. 2 October 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Morley to finish season in England if Roosters miss finals". ABC News. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Peacock's pain soothed by Bulls triumph". The Guardian. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  14. ^ "League: Morley out of NRL". NZ Herald. 26 July 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Morley turns down Wigan for return to 'ambitious' Warrington". The Independent. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  16. ^ Hadfield, Dave (13 June 2010). "Widdop passes his first Test at a canter". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  17. ^ Scott, Ged (28 August 2010). "Leeds 6–30 Warrington". BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  18. ^ Wilson, Andy (28 August 2010). "Chris Hicks hat-trick leads Warrington to Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  19. ^ "Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final". Guardian UK. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington". Guardian. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  23. ^ "Warrington Wolves captain Adrian Morley sidelined for two months through injury". Sky Sports. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Morley plays part in Swinton win". Eurosport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  25. ^ Newsum, Matt (5 October 2013). "Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Warrington". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Wigan see off Warrington in X-rated Grand Final to complete double". Guardian. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  27. ^ "Adrian Morley: Salford City Reds to sign Warrington & England legend". BBC Sport. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  28. ^ "MORLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT". superleague.co.uk. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Adrian Morley to end career with Leeds v New Zealand game". bbc.com. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  30. ^ "Throwback Thursday: When Adrian Morley was sent off after 12 seconds". Love Rugby League. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  31. ^ "Boost for Great Britain as Morley escapes ban". The Independent. 11 November 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Morley to captain Great Britain". BBC Sport. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Myler gets England call". England Rugby League. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  34. ^ "Purdham earns World Cup call-up". BBC. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 9 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  35. ^ "Gleeson to lead new-look England". BBC. 9 October 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  36. ^ "League: English captain to miss Four Nations". The New Zealand Herald. 17 October 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  37. ^ "Morley set for 50th cap". Sky Sports. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  38. ^ "RLIF to award 'golden caps' to players with over 50 international appearances tonight". Total Rugby League. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Rugby League: Fiery Morley aims to keep cool". NZ Herald. 5 October 2002. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  40. ^ "Meet Adrian Morley the GB 'Enforcer'". BBC Sport Academy. 6 November 2003. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  41. ^ "Roosters cry foul after Morley is suspended for sixth time". The Times. 20 July 2004. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  42. ^ "Adrian Morley backs Salford Red Devils and Chris Atkin to step up and deliver shock Grand Final spot". Yorkshire Live. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  43. ^ "A complete history of the World XIII". Total Rugby League. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  44. ^ "Four sporting giants to be inducted into the men's RL Hall of Fame". Rugby Football League. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  45. ^ "Adrian Morley to leave Leeds Rhinos for new career". Serious About Rugby League. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Adrian Morley becomes Foundation trustee". Salford Red Devils. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  47. ^ "Morley likely to escape a ban". The Guardian. 19 January 2004. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  48. ^ "Son of ex-Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils star Adrian Morley makes debut for Super League scholarship side". Total Rugby League. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
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