Michael Dobson (rugby)

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For other persons of the same name, see Michael Dobson.

**Michael Dobson**
Personal information
Date of birth	29 May 1986
Place of birth	Canberra, Australia
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.79 m)
Nickname	Dobbo, Dobby.
Position	Scrum half
Professional clubs*
2005-2006 2006 (loan) 2006 (loan) 2007-	Canberra Raiders Les Catalans Wigan Warriors Canberra Raiders
* Professional club appearances and (tries) counted for the domestic league only.

Michael Dobson is a professional rugby league player currently playing for NRL side Canberra Raiders after a successful loan stint last season with Wigan Warriors.

[edit] Early career

Dobson was a promising young half back for Canberra Raiders Australian rugby league team but he started his career when he was loaned out to French European Super League team Les Catalans Dragons to replace the injured Stacey Jones. Jones was one of the most highly rated scrum halves in rugby league and replacing him would not be easy but the then 19 year old Michael Dobson really impressed people with his natural ability on the pitch. Dobson helped Les Catalans, who were struggling in the Super League, but while at the club he caught the attention of several other clubs in the Super League and when Dobson's three month loan expired at Les Catalans Dragons he was signed by Wigan Warriors.

Dobson signed for Wigan in May 2006 to replace Denis Moran who had been released by Wigan due to poor performances. The was some controversy over Dobson signing for Wigan, under English law Dobson was not permitted to play in England because he did not have a work permit however Wigan managed to gain a work permit to play though at the time there was suggestion that he should not have been given a work permit. When Dobson signed for Wigan they were at the bottom of the Super League 6 points behind the nearest team Wakefield and it looked like Wigan would be relegated. Dobson had a big impact at Wigan helping the team to fight their way off the bottom of the table and survive relegation in the 2006 season. Michael is notes for his good organising skills on the pitch and has help improve the performance of many of the Wigan player most notably Danny Orr.

Michael Dobson is one of the best kickers in rugby league at the age of just 20 he was regarded as one of the best infield kickers in the Super League and his goal kicking record is one of the best in the world. In 2006 he was named as the best goal kicker in the world with a success rate of 84% which was better than St Helens star Jamie Lyon (81%) and veteran NRL players Hazen El Masri (84%) and Andrew Johns (80%).

[edit] The Future

He will leave Wigan at the end of 2006 to return to Canberra Raiders in the NRL. Dobson has ambition to play at the highest level in Rugby League and with talent he has shown at just 20 he should defiantly be considered as a future origin player in Australia and possibly an Australian International. After it was decided that Dobson would return home he said that he would consider returning to the Super League in his future possible to play for the Wigan Warriors again.