Owen Wright (rugby league) explained

Owen Wright
Fullname:Owen Grant Wright
Birth Place:New Zealand
Club1:Otahuhu
Club2:Manukau
Coachteama:Auckland
Coachyearastart:1991
Coachyearaend:93
Teama:Auckland
Yearastart:1978
Yearaend:86
Appearancesa:42
Teamb:New Zealand
Yearbstart:1982
Yearbend:86
Appearancesb:16
Triesb:1
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:4
Teamc:New Zealand Māori
Yearcstart:1983
Yearcend:86
Source:[1] [2]
New:yes

Owen Grant Wright[3] is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in sixteen Tests, including in matches that counted towards the 1988 World Cup.[1]

His brother Nick also represented New Zealand while his father Owen and his uncles Jack and Joe all represented the New Zealand Māori side.

He is the father of Jordan "THE J-MAN" Wright

Playing career

Wright was an Otahuhu Leopards player in the Auckland Rugby League competition.[4] He won several trophies while at Otahuhu, including both the Lipscombe Cup for sportsman of the year and Rothville Trophy for player of the year in 1984.

In 1974 Wright was an Under-17 and Under-19 Auckland representative. He played for the Under-21s in 1975 before making his senior debut for Auckland in 1978.[5]

Wright represented the New Zealand Māori team, including touring Great Britain and at the 1986 Pacific Cup.[6]

Wright remained in Auckland despite having offers from professional clubs in England and Australia.[7] In 1986 he played for the Manukau Magpies club.[8]

Coaching career

Between 1991 and 1993 Wright coached Auckland in the national provincial competition.[7]

Later years

Wright now works in radio. He has commentated on New Zealand Warriors matches for Radio Sport since 1995.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  3. http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=W&id=567 WRIGHT, OWEN GRANT 1982 - 86 - KIWI #567
  4. News: Graham Lowe: Simplicity key to supercoach. Lowe, Graham. Graham Lowe. 11 May 2008. The New Zealand Herald. 1 November 2011.
  5. http://www.aucklandleague.co.nz/display_page.asp?item=374 Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football and Sports Club Inc
  6. https://archive.today/20130505135749/http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/home/rugby-league-a-passport-to-the-world-1.698433?referrerPath=sports/nostalgia A Passport to the World
  7. Book: John Coffey, Bernie Wood . 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. 2008. 130–133. 9781869693312.
  8. 1986 Lion Red Rugby League Annual, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1986. p.101