Nathan Blacklock
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nathan Blacklock | |
| Place of birth | Tingha, Australia | |
| Nickname | Tingha Tornado | |
| Professional clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 1995 1997-2001 |
Sydney St.George Hull |
5 (4) 102 (412) |
| Representative teams** | ||
| 2001 | Australia | 2 (12) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
||
Nathan Blacklock (born in Tingha, New South Wales, Australia) was an Australian rugby league player whose primarily played as a winger. He began his career at the Sydney Roosters in 1995, before moving to the St. George Dragons where he played between 1997 and 2001 before moving to Hull. His nickname 'Tingha Tornado' is named after the town he was born in Australia. He retired in 2006 while playing for Hull FC in the European Super League.
[edit] Rugby League Achievements
Blacklock was the top try scorer in the Australian National Rugby League competition for three consecutive seasons whilst playing for the St George Illawarra Dragons between 1999 and 2001. It was the first time in the history of Australian rugby league that a player has topped the try scoring list for three consecutive seasons.
Blacklock was first selected for the Australian team in 2001, scoring two tries in Australia's 54-12 win over Papua New Guinea. He played one further Test, the Third Test against Great Britain at Wigan in 2001.
At the end of 2000, he was awarded the Ken Stephen Memorial Award for his services to the game.
In his first season with Hull FC he scored 22 tries in all competitions, including a hat-trick away to the Huddersfield Giants and at home to Leigh Centurions.
[edit] Retirement
In August 2006, it was announced that Blacklock would have to retire from all forms of rugby league due to a chronic knee injury. Blacklock had been planning to retire from the game at the end of the season but when the extent of his injury was discovered, the club decided to release Blacklock from his contract as he was no longer able to play. After his retirement was announced, Blacklock came out and stated, "I'm disappointed I've had to call it a day, but I simply can't give the 100% I want to any more because of injuries. I can't put my heart and soul into playing. Everyone at the club has been great to me and I wish the team all the best for the play-offs and the future." [1]
At the time of the news, Hull were sitting second on the Super League table and were a real chance to reach the Grand Final at Old Trafford for the first time in the Super League era. Hull coach Peter Sharp added that "`Tingha' has enjoyed a marvellous career, he has achieved some things in rugby league that most people can only dream about. He has contributed an awful lot to this club over the last two years and we wish him all the best in the future."
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Skysports.com article: Injury Forces Blacklock To Quit. URL retrieved 24th August 2006.
