Neil Budworth - Hooker
Wales RLHeritage No | 455 |
Date Of Birth | 10/03/1982 |
Place Of Birth | Wigan |
Height | 180 |
Weight | 92 |
Clubs | Moranbah Miners, Mackay Cutters, Celtic Crusaders, London Broncos, Wigan Warriors Reserves, Blackbrook Royals |
Honours | Wales RL |
Managed | Moranbah Miners |
Neil Budworth is one of the few players in history to have qualified for Wales via the residency rule. He moved to Bridgend in 2007 to sign for Celtic Crusaders, leaving Super League's Harlequins RL to do so, stating that it was a step-back to move forward. Crusaders were in League 1 at the time and he helped them to two successive promotions, and he eventually played in Super League again in 2009 with the Welsh club. By the end of that season, he was Welsh qualified and helped Wales to win two successive European Cups before playing in the 2011 Four Nations and the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. He started his rugby league at Blackbrook before signing forms with Wigan Warriors. Before he could make the first team, he was snapped up by London Broncos, originally on loan as cover for Jason Hetherington, before signing permanently in November 2002. He rarely missed a game in London, including when the club when through its temporary rebrand as Harlequins, and by the end of 2009, he had racked up 118 Super League appearances. When Crusaders moved to Wrexham, Neil went even further, signing for Queensland Cup side Mackay Cutters, where he was coached by his former colleague at Crusaders, Anthony Seibold. He finished his career alongside another former Crusader Josh Hannay with Moranbah Miners, and eventually landed himself a coaching role at the club.
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