Daniel Heckenberg

Daniel Heckenberg
Personal information
Nickname Ice Man, Heck, Dan-Bear
Born 27 October 1979
Camden, New South Wales, Australia
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000–01 St George Illawarra 4 0 0 0 0
2002–03 Parramatta Eels 40 1 0 0 4
2004–05 Manly-Warringah 34 2 0 0 8
2006–09 Harlequins RL 67 4 0 0 16
Total 145 7 0 0 28
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000 Scotland 3 0 0 0 0
As of 26 June 2009
Source: Rugby League Project

Daniel Heckenberg (born 27 October 1979 in Camden, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player. He currently plays as a Prop for Harlequins Rugby League in the European Super League and is also a Scottish international.

Early career

Heckenberg began his rugby career at St Gregory's College, Campbelltown, a school renowned for producing young rugby league players. He first played internationally as part of the Australian Schoolboys team in a match against the BARLA Young Lions. After his graduation he played for a short while as an amateur for the Eagle Vale-St Andrews junior side.[1]

NRL

He began his professional career at National Rugby League side St. George Illawarra Dragons, progressing through the youth team and earning his first grade debut in 2000. In the same year, Heckenberg made his first appearance as a Scottish international, participating in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He moved club in 2002, joining the Parramatta Eels, before changing team again in 2004, this time playing with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He provided much defensive support for the Sea Eagles and was held in high esteem by his peers at the club.[1]

Harlequins

His performances led to a transfer to Super League side Harlequins and he soon became an important part of the team's defensive game. Heckenberg confirmed his first grade place in the beginning of his second year at the club but suffered a severe shoulder injury in a match against Bradford Bulls in May, bringing his 2007 Super League XII campaign to an end.[1][2] Harlequins coach Brian McDermott described Heckenberg as a hard worker and an integral part of the team.[3] Heckenberg underwent surgery in June to correct the problem but when he returned from injury for 2008's Super League XIII he again suffered a setback. He dislocated his shoulder in training in March 2008, resulting in a six week absence from the team.[4]

Representative

Heckenberg was named in the Scotland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.[5][6][7]

Personal

In his spare time, Heckenberg enjoys listening to the music of the Foo Fighters and U2 and also helps to train youth rugby league players at Elmbridge Rugby League Club.[1]

Statistics

League Team Season Appearances Tries
National Rugby League St. George Illawarra Dragons 200001 4 0
National Rugby League Parramatta Eels 200203 40 1
National Rugby League Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 200405 34 2
Super League Harlequins RL 2006 25 1
Super League Harlequins RL 2007 14 2

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Harlequins RL Official Club Guide 2008 - Player Profiles" (PDF). Harlequins Rugby League. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  2. Walker, Gareth (28 May 2007). "Quins fall for Vainikolo's trick". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  3. "Heckenberg out with shoulder injury". Harlequins Rugby League. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  4. "Fresh injury blow for Harlequins". BBC Sport. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  5. "Henderson trio in Scots cup squad". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
  6. "Teams - Scotland". 2008 Rugby League World Cup Official site. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  7. "Heckenberg out of the World Cup". Quins. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-03.

External links