Chris Close

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Christopher 'Choppy' Close is an Australian former rugby league player. His usual position was at centre. Close has the distinction of being one of a handful of players to be named man-of-the-match in State of Origin more than once.

Australia 1980-85: 3 Tests - 1t (4pts)
Queensland 1979-86: 14 games - 2t (6pts)
Manly 1982-87: 96 games - 39t (154pts)
Gold Coast 1988-91: 67 games - 4t (16pts)

Hailing from Cunnamulla, Queensland, Chris Close scored 52 tries during the 1978 Brisbane Rugby League season before joining Brisbane Valleys. A forward-sized centre who also excelled on the wing in his early career, Close represented Combined Brisbane in the Amco Cup competition in 1979 and made his debut for Queensland the same year.

In 1980, while playing for Redcliffe, Close was chosen on the Australian tour of New Zealand but it was his consecutive man-of-the-match performances in the first two State of Origin matches in 1980 and 1981 that turned heads. He was a fierce competitor, as his back-hander to the face of opposing winger Eric Grothe in 1981's State of Origin match testifies.

Close signed with Manly in 1982 and played in the Grand Final with them that year and again in 1983, which were both lost to Parramatta. Close continued to be a regular visitor to the State of Origin arena during the 1980s, becoming one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once.

Close appeared in three Tests on the 1985 tour of New Zealand but failed to tour with the Kangaroos the following year.

After playing in Manly's reserve grade grand final loss in 1987, he linked with the newly formed Gold Coast club where his experience was used to good effect in the forwards.

After his retirement as a player, Close filled the role of Queensland State of Origin team manager under Paul Vautin (1995-97), Wayne Bennett (1998 & 2001-4) and Mark Murray (1999-00).

In 2000 Close was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.