Michael Hancock (rugby league footballer)
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Michael John Hancock is an Australian former rugby league player.
Australia 1989-94: 13 Tests - 5t (20pts)
Queensland SOO 1989-96 14: games - 5t (20pts)
Queensland (SL Tri-Series): 1997 2 games – 1t (4pts)
Brisbane Broncos 1988-00: 274 games - 120t, 2g (484pts)
Salford City Reds 2000-?
A young winger from Stanthorpe, Queensland, Hancock starred as a 17-year-old for Toowoomba in the State League. He then joined the Brisbane Broncos in the club’s initial season in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership as a member of the first Brisbane run-on team that thrashed defending premiers Manly in 1988's season opener. Hancock then made his Test debut on the 1989 tour of New Zealand while still a teenager. Having representied his state that year, and proving himself a top-class winger with pace, strength and elusiveness, he played in all matches on the New Zealand tour, including three Tests.
In 1990 he missed the one-off Test against France with a hamstring injury but was chosen in the Test against New Zealand before touring with the Kangaroos. Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in Australia’s First Test loss ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.
In 1991 he was unable to force his way back into the Test teams against New Zealand or gain a spot on the tour of Papua New Guinea. He later regaining his Test spot against Great Britain that year and was a member of the Broncos’ grand final teams that defeated the St George Dragons in 1992 and 1993. Travelling to England, he played in Australia's World Cup final win and scored two tries in Brisbane's World Club Championship victory over Wigan.
Hancock made tours of New Zealand (1993), Great Britain and France (1994 Kangaroos) but his Test career was put on hold when he injured his shoulder in a training mishap on the 1994 Kangaroo Tour. He, along with Steve Renouf, was the Broncos' top try-scorer in 1995.
Hancock was actually cut by the Broncos at the beginning of the 1996 season but asked to be allowed to train with the team in the off-season and regained his contract. His try in Brisbane’s 26-8 Super League grand final win over the Cronulla Sharks took him past the century mark and although his representative career ended, he savoured another premiership title in 1998.
The advent of the unlimited interchange rule prolonged Hancock’s career, with coach Wayne Bennett opting to use him as an impact player on the wing or in the second row. The last of the foundation players to leave the club, it was only fitting then, in his fourteenth season with the same club, that he left the Broncos after the 14-6 win against the Sydney Roosters in the 2000 grand final to play out the rest of his career for Salford in England. In 2000 Michael was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league. At the time of his retirement, Hancock held the record for most appearances for the Broncos and was number two on the club's all time top try-scorers list with 120 (second only to Steve Renouf.
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| Brisbane Broncos |
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| 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) |
