Michael Withers

Michael Withers
Withers while playing for Wigan in 2007
Personal information
Nickname Mick, Witho
Born 16 May 1976 (1976-05-16) (age 35)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
Position Centre, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1995–1998 Balmain Tigers 40 12 45 0 138
1999–2006 Bradford Bulls 177 440
2007 Wigan Warriors 7 4
Total 224 12 45 0 582
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000–2007 Ireland
Source: NRL Stats

Michael Withers (born 16 May 1976 in Sydney, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented at international level for Ireland. He played club football in Australia for the Balmain Tigers of the National Rugby League, and in England with Wigan Warriors and Bradford Bulls of Super League. His usual position was at fullback.

Withers is also a keen cricketer, having played for Northowram Hedge Top Cricket Club (Towergate Halifax Cricket League), whilst playing rugby in the UK.

While attending John Paul II Senior High School in Marayong, New South Wales, Withers was selected for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1994.[1] In the same year Withers won the Australian Dally M Junior Player of the Year.

Withers scored 108 tries in 170 games for the Bulls. He is also the only player to have recorded a hat-trick in a Grand Final, doing so against Wigan Warriors for Bradford Bulls in 2003. He has won three Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with the Bulls.

Withers made his Wigan debut in a 16-10 defeat by Warrington Wolves at the JJB Stadium on 9 February 2007.

In June 2007 a knee injury forced Withers to retire.[2][3]

International

Withers was selected for Great Britain in the 2001 Ashes Series, but did not play due to injury concerns.[4] Withers later withdrew himself from the Great Britain squad without playing a game.[5] His initial selection in the Great Britain training squad by Australian coach David Waite created some controversy.[6] Withers qualified for Great Britain through his Irish grandparents and he played for Ireland in the 2000 World Cup.

References

  1. ^ "Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". Sporting Pulse. http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424. Retrieved 2008-10-10. 
  2. ^ "Withers retirement stuns Warriors". BBC. 2007-06-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/6244482.stm. Retrieved 2007-06-27. 
  3. ^ "Michael Withers Forced To Retire". Wiganwarriors.com. 2007-06-27. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927213253/http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=3007. Retrieved 2007-06-27. 
  4. ^ "Withers out of Australia Test" (fee required). AAP Sports News. 2001-11-20. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-48332063.html. Retrieved 2008-01-01. 
  5. ^ "Withers turns his back on Britain" (fee required). AAP Sports News. 2001-12-22. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-49080198.html. Retrieved 2008-01-01. 
  6. ^ "Australian picked in Britain squad for Kangaroos Test series" (fee required). AAP Sports News. 2001-10-18. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-47600436.html. Retrieved 2008-01-01. 

External links