Michael Hancock (rugby league)
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael John Hancock | |
| Date of birth | October 21, 1969 | |
| Place of birth | Stanthorpe, Australia | |
| Height | 182cm | |
| Weight | 94kg | |
| Nickname(s) | Grub (Mr. Angry at Salford) | |
| Senior clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 1988-2000 2001-2002 |
Brisbane Broncos Salford City Reds |
274 (484) |
| Representative teams | ||
| 1989-1996 1997 1989-1994 |
Queensland Maroons Queensland Maroons (SL) Australian Kangaroos |
14 (20) 2 (4) 13 (20) |
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* Professional club appearances and points |
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Michael John Hancock (born on the 21st of October, 1969 in Stanthorpe, Queensland) is an Australian former rugby league player. At the time of his retirement from football in Australia in 2000 he held the Brisbane Broncos records of most career tries for a winger and most games of any player.
Australia 1989-94: 13 Tests - 5t (20pts)
Queensland (SOO) 1989-96 14: games - 5t (20pts)
Queensland (SL Tri-Series): 1997 2 games – 1t (4pts)
Brisbane Broncos 1988-00: 274 games - 120t, 2g (484pts)
Salford City Reds 2001-2002
A young winger from Stanthorpe, Queensland, Hancock starred as a 17-year-old for Toowoomba in the State League. He then joined the Brisbane Broncos in the club’s initial season in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership as a member of the first Brisbane run-on team that thrashed defending premiers Manly in 1988's season opener. Hancock then made his Test debut on the 1989 tour of New Zealand while still a teenager. Having representied his state that year, and proving himself a top-class winger with pace, strength and elusiveness, he played in all matches on the New Zealand tour, including three Tests. He was known for a wide-legged running style that allowed him to change direction sharply and sometimes several times as he approached opposition defences.
In 1990 he missed the one-off Test against France with a hamstring injury but was chosen in the Test against New Zealand before touring with the Kangaroos. Unfortunately, an ankle injury suffered in Australia’s First Test loss ruled him out of the remainder of the tour.
In 1991 he was unable to join the Test teams against New Zealand nor gain a spot on the tour of Papua New Guinea. He later regaining his Test spot against Great Britain that year and was a member of the Broncos’ grand final teams that defeated the St George Dragons in 1992 and 1993. Travelling to England, he played in Australia's World Cup final win and scored two tries in Brisbane's 1992 World Club Challenge victory over Wigan.
Hancock made tours of New Zealand (1993), Great Britain and France (1994 Kangaroos) but his Test career was put on hold when he injured his shoulder in a training mishap on the 1994 Kangaroo Tour. He, along with Steve Renouf, was the Broncos' top try-scorer in 1995.
Hancock was cut by the Broncos at the beginning of the 1996 season but asked to be allowed to train with the team in the off-season and regained his contract. His try in Brisbane’s 26-8 Super League grand final win over the Cronulla Sharks took him past the century mark and although his representative career ended, he savoured another premiership title in 1998.
The advent of the unlimited interchange rule prolonged Hancock’s career, with coach Wayne Bennett opting to use him as an impact player on the wing or in the second row. The last of the foundation players to leave the club, it was only fitting then, in his fourteenth season with the same club, that he left the Broncos after the 14-6 win against the Sydney Roosters in the 2000 grand final to play out the rest of his career for Salford in England. In 2000 Michael was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league. At the time of his retirement, Hancock held the record for most appearances for the Broncos and was number two on the club's all time top try-scorers list with 120 (second only to Steve Renouf).
[edit] External links
- Michael Hancock at the Brisbane Broncos official website. (This link no longer works, please see the template page to change.)
- Michael Hancock at the State of Origin official website.
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