Gene Miles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gene Miles | |
| Place of birth | Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia | |
| Position | Centre | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 1988-91 1991-92 |
Brisbane Wigan |
71(20) 29(?) |
| Representative teams | ||
| 1982-84,1986-89 1982-88 |
Queensland Australia |
20 (23) 14 (8) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
||
Gene Miles (born Mount Isa, Queensland) is an Australian former rugby league player. One of the most damaging players in the game, Miles could break tackles with ease. He was able to off-load the ball on numerous occasions and was noted for his ability to pass the ball one-handed basketball style. Initially a centre, Miles was often used as a back row forward towards the end of his career.
A product of the city of Townsville in North Queensland, Miles joined Wynnum-Manly in the Brisbane competition in 1980 and was playing in the State of Origin the following year.
He was one of six Queensland-based players to tour with the 1982 Kangaroos to Great Britain - the others were Wally Lewis, Rohan Hancock, Mark Murray, Rod Morris and Mal Meninga. Miles couldn't break into the Test team and played against club sides and in an international against Wales. He made his Test debut the following year.
He returned to the United Kingdom four years later with the 1986 Kangaroo Tour and participated in all six Test matches, against Papua New Guinea, Great Britain and France. After the home Test against New Zealand in 1987, Miles was switched to the forwards. He soon adapted to become one of the country’s finest second rowers, playing for Australia against the Rest of The World in 1988 at the Sydney Football Stadium.
He was chosen to tour New Zealand with the Australian squad in 1989 but was forced to pull out with a broken hand. The following year, he announced his retirement from representative football so he could concentrate on his job as captain of the fledgling Brisbane Broncos club, helping the Broncos to the play-offs for the first time in 1990.
After 72 first grade games for the Broncos, 14 Tests for Australia (including two Kangaroo tours) and 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland, Miles accepted a contract offer from Wigan, making his debut in October 1991 against Featherstone Rovers. Miles played 29 matches for Wigan as they won a treble of Championship, Challenge Cup and Premiership. Whilst at Wigan, Miles formed a formidable partnership with winger Martin Offiah.
Miles returned to Australia to pursue a media career with Channel Nine and in 2000, was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league. In 2001 Miles was appointed Chairman of Selectors for the Queensland State of Origin which he continues to be part of today.
[edit] External Links
| Brisbane Broncos |
|---|
| The Club Representatives • History • Records • Honours • Players • Venues |
| Seasons 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 |
| Stadiums Lang Park/Suncorp Stadium • ANZ Stadium |
| Captains Wally Lewis (1988-1989) • Gene Miles (1990-1991) • Allan Langer (1992-1999) Kevin Walters (1999-2000) • Gorden Tallis (2001-2004) • Darren Lockyer (2005-present) |
| Coaches Wayne Bennett (1988-present) |
