Craig Kopczak Explained

New:yes
Craig "Koppy" Kopczak
Fullname:Craig Kopczak
Height:6feet [1]
Weight:17st
Birth Date:1986 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Club1:Bradford Bulls
Year1start:2006
Year1end:12
Appearances1:123
Tries1:11
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:44
Year2start:2008(loan)
Appearances2:4
Tries2:0
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:0
Year3start:2013
Year3end:15
Appearances3:89
Tries3:6
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:24
Year4start:2016
Year4end:18
Appearances4:84
Tries4:13
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:52
Year5start:2019
Year5end:20
Appearances5:43
Tries5:3
Goals5:0
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:12
Year6start:2021
Year6end:23
Appearances6:49
Tries6:10
Goals6:0
Fieldgoals6:0
Points6:40
Year7start:2024
Year7end:present
Appearances7:1
Tries7:0
Goals7:0
Fieldgoals7:0
Points7:0
Teama:Wales
Yearastart:2007
Yearaend:17
Appearancesa:22
Triesa:1
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:4
Source:[2] [3]
Updated:28 January 2024

Craig Kopczak (born 20 December 1986) is a Wales international rugby league footballer who plays as a for Oldham RLFC in the RFL League 1.

He previously played for the Bradford Bulls in the Super League, and on loan from Bradford at Halifax in 2008's National League One. Kopczak has also played for the Huddersfield Giants, Wakefield Trinity and the Salford Red Devils in the Super League.[2] [3]

Background

Craig Kopczak was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.

Craig is married to Victoria and they have two children, Poppy and Harvey.[4]

Playing career

Bradford

Kopczak made his Bradford début in 2006. He spent at period in 2008 on loan at Halifax, and later established himself as an important first-team player for Bradford. He scored his first try for the club against St Helens in 2008, and scored his first career hat-trick against Wakefield Trinity.

Huddersfield

Kopczak signed a three-year deal with Huddersfield after he left the Bradford club. He played for the club for three years and was a member of the team that won the League Leaders' Shield in 2013.

Salford

Kopczak joined Salford ahead of the 2016 Super League season.

Featherstone Rovers

On 5 December 2020, it was announced that he would join Featherstone Rovers for the 2021 season.[5] On 28 May 2022, he played for Featherstone in their 2022 RFL 1895 Cup final loss against Leigh.[6]

Oldham RLFC

On 23 October 2023, it was reported that he had joined Oldham RLFC for the 2024 season on a two-year deal[7]

Statistics

SeasonTeamAppsTriesGoalsD/GPoints
2006align=left rowspan="7"20000
200740000
2008170000
2009261004
2010292008
20112860024
2012172008
Sub-total:123110044
200840000
2013align=left rowspan="3"3040016
2014281004
2015321004
Sub-total:8960024
2016align=left rowspan="3"3050020
20173270028
2018221004
Sub-total:84130052
2019align=left rowspan="2"292008
2020141004
Sub-total:4330012
2021align=left rowspan="3"2060024
2022142008
2023152008
Sub-total:49100040
2024align=left rowspan="1"00000
Total3924300172

Wales

Although born in England, Craig represents Wales at international level due to his heritage. He made his Wales début in 2007, and scored his first Wales try in a match against England in 2009.[8] [9]

He featured for Wales in the 2011 Four Nations.He was Wales player of the tournament during the Four Nations, whilst also winning Bradford's Player of the Year 2011.

He captained Wales[10] in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and 2015 European Cup. He captained the team again in the following year's 2017 World Cup qualifiers.

Craig retired from International Rugby League in 2018.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Huddersfield Giants 1st Team Craig Kopczak. . 2015. Huddersfield Giants web site. Huddersfield Giants. 15 July 2015.
  2. Web site: Profile at loverugbyleague.com. loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  3. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Daily Star. Check out Super League's finest WAGs. 25 Feb 2017. 26 Dec 2020.
  5. Web site: www.rugby-league.com. 5 Dec 2020. 26 Dec 2020. FEATHERSTONE ROVERS SIGN CRAIG KOPCZAK.
  6. Web site: Featherstone Rovers: 1895 Cup final defeat to Leigh Centurions gives Brian McDermott's side signal of their progress. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. 29 May 2022 .
  7. Web site: Love Rugby League. 23 Oct 2023. Former Wales captain Craig Kopczak joins League One club for 2024: 'A very strong squad is being built for next year'.
  8. Web site: Cymru RL . 2009-10-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091214094214/http://www.cymrurl.com/home.php . 2009-12-14 .
  9. Web site: Engage Super League . 2009-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110108085305/http://superleague.co.uk/profile.php?id=2382 . 2011-01-08 .
  10. Web site: Meet the Team - Craig Kopczak. Wales Rugby League. 26 Dec 2020.
  11. Web site: BBC Sport. Wales captain Craig Kopczak retires from internationals to focus on Salford. 26 Dec 2020. 11 May 2018.