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Jack Bird

For English bowler, see Jack Bird (bowls).
Jack Bird
Bird playing for NSW Country in 2015
Personal information
Born (1995-03-20) 20 March 1995 (age 29)
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Five-eighth, Second-row, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–17 Cronulla Sharks 66 17 0 0 68
2018–19 Brisbane Broncos 17 2 0 0 8
2021–24 St. George Illawarra 73 17 8 0 84
2025– Wests Tigers 0 0 0 0 0
Total 156 36 8 0 160
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2015–16 NSW Country 2 0 0 0 0
2016–17 New South Wales 5 0 0 0 0
2017 Indigenous All Stars 1 1 0 0 4
2017 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 31 August 2024

Jack Bird (born 20 March 1995) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre, five-eighth and second-row forward for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Bird previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, St. George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks where he won the 2016 NRL Grand Final. He is a New South Wales State of Origin, Country Origin, Prime Minister's XIII and Indigenous All Stars representative.

Background

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Bird was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, and is of Indigenous Australian descent.

Bird played his junior rugby league for the Berkeley Eagles, before being signed by the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Playing career

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Early career

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In 2013 and 2014, Bird played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons' NYC team playing 37 games and scoring 15 tries for 60 points.[3][4]

Bird playing for the Dragons in 2013

On 3 May 2014, Bird played for the New South Wales under-20s team against the Queensland under-20s team, playing at lock in the 30–8 win at Penrith Stadium.[5] On 18 September 2014 Bird signed a two-year contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks starting in 2015.[6][7] On 18 October 2014, Bird played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis, playing at centre in the 15–14 loss at Mt Smart Stadium.[8]

2015

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On 31 January and 1 February 2015, Bird played for Cronulla-Sutherland in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.[9] In round 4 of the 2015 NRL season, Bird made his NRL debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Gold Coast Titans, playing off the interchange bench in Cronulla's 24–22 loss at Shark Park.[10][11][12] In his next match in round 5 against the Sydney Roosters, Bird played at five-eighth for Cronulla-Sutherland in the absence of regular five-eighth Ben Barba. Bird scored two tries and set up another in the Sharks' 20–12 upset win over the 2013 premiers, causing him to be selected again at five-eighth the next week ahead of Barba who was named on the interchange bench.[13][14] On 3 May 2015, Bird played for New South Wales Country against New South Wales City in the 2015 City vs Country Origin match, playing at halfback in Country's 34–22 win at Wagga Wagga.[15][16] On 28 September 2015, at the 2015 Dally M Awards night, Bird was named the Dally M Rookie of the Year after playing in 23 matches and scoring 8 tries for Cronulla.[17][18][19]

2016

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On 15 January 2016, Bird re-signed with Cronulla-Sutherland on a one-year contract.[20][21] In February 2016, Bird played for the Sharks in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.[22] On 8 May 2016, Bird played for Country Origin against City Origin, where he played at halfback in the 44–30 loss in Tamworth.[23]

On 22 June 2016, Bird made his representative debut for New South Wales in Game 2 of the 2016 State of Origin series, where played he filled the void on the interchange bench for Dylan Walker who shifted to centre in the 26–16 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[24][25] Bird also played in Game 3, where he again played off interchange bench in the Blues 18–14 win at ANZ Stadium.[26]

On 2 October 2016, in Cronulla's 2016 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm, Bird played at centre and bravely played the majority of the match with an elbow injury in the historic 14–12 victory.[27] Bird finished his successful 2016 NRL season with him playing in 26 matches and scoring 6 tries for Cronulla-Sutherland.

2017

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In February 2017, Bird was selected in the Sharks 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[28] On 10 February 2017, Bird played for the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars in the 2017 All Stars match, starting at centre and scoring a try in the 34–8 win at Hunter Stadium.[29][30]

On 13 April 2017, it was announced that Bird signed a lucrative four-year deal, worth $4 million with the Brisbane Broncos starting in 2018.[31] For the 2017 State of Origin series, Bird played in all 3 matches off the interchange bench for the Blues in their 2–1 series loss.[32] Bird finished his last year with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 3 tries in the 2017 NRL season.

On 23 September 2017, Bird played for Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, starting at five-eighth in the 48–8 win in Port Moresby.[33]

2018

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When Bird arrived in Brisbane he had an existing shoulder injury that he suffered at the end of the 2017 season and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett claimed that the Sharks did not disclose the full extent of his injury before his move, the Broncos were only aware of his injury by Bird himself and that he needed surgery that would’ve ruled him out for till at least Round 4.[34] In round 3 of the 2018 NRL season, Bird made his club debut for Brisbane earlier than expected against the Wests Tigers, playing at centre in the gritty 9–7 win at Campbelltown Stadium.[35][36]

After the match Bird was heavily criticised by NRL fans for looking overweight, Bird commenting, "I don't really care what they think to be honest", "I'm happy with my weight, I feel good, "I do have to lose some body fat but it comes with time, being injured doesn't help, "Give me time and hopefully I can slim down a little bit but I'm feeling healthy."[37][38] In round 10 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Bird succumbed to the sternum injury that has plagued him for nine months and end his season early during Brisbane's 38–24 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[39] Bird would have a horror 2018 NRL season, only playing in 8 matches for the Broncos because of his shoulder and sternum injuries were still ongoing during the year.[39]

2019

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Bird made his return for Brisbane in the 2019 season opening round 1 match against the Melbourne Storm, playing at centre in the 22–12 loss at AAMI Park.[40] Following the match, Bird was receiving negative feedback on social media about his performance despite it was his first match back since round 10 of the previous season, fans were quick to judge his performance based on an early error, and he finished with 127 running metres, three tackle-breaks and 11 tackles. During the first half, Bird was hit hard by Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu and coughed up the ball for Curtis Scott to race away and score for Melbourne.[41] In Round 3 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Bird scored his first club try for the Broncos in the heartbreaking last second 25–24 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[42]

During the early rounds, Bird would slowly recapture his good form that he showed at Cronulla but in round 9, Bird suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament knee injury during the Broncos 26–10 win at Suncorp Stadium.[43][44] Bird's 2019 NRL season was cut short, finishing with 9 matches and scoring 2 tries for Brisbane.

2020

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On 11 March, Bird was ruled out for the entire 2020 NRL season after suffering an ACL injury at pre-season training. Bird took to Instagram saying "People who know me know how hard I have worked to get to the stage I was at leading into this season, and with that, I’m truly heartbroken that I have to start this process all over again".[45][46]

On 6 November, St. George Illawarra confirmed that Bird had signed a two-year contract with the club after he was permitted by Brisbane to negotiate with rival clubs.[47]

2021

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Bird made his debut for his junior club St. George Illawarra in round 1 of the 2021 NRL season which saw the club lose 32–18 against rivals the Cronulla Sharks.[48]

Bird played a total of 22 matches for St. George Illawarra as the club finished 11th on the table and missed out on the finals.[49]

2022

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In round 23 of the 2022 NRL season, Bird scored two tries for St. George Illawarra in a 46–26 victory over the Gold Coast.[50] In round 24, Bird was sin binned for dissent in the clubs 24–22 victory over the Wests Tigers.[51] Bird played 23 games for St. George Illawarra in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table and missed the finals.[52]

2023

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On 10 May, Bird came under criticism for comments he made at fans during an interview regarding the club's poor form and planned protests from St. George Illawarra supporters with Bird saying “They’ve got a lot to say about people on the field. I don’t think they’ve ever played a game of footy, they don't much about the game, I’m speaking from first-hand stuff that I’ve copped. I feel sorry for ‘Hook’ (Griffin). It’s us out there playing so we should be the ones to blame, Fans are good for the game and stuff like that, but it comes to a point where you can’t cop so much criticism over the players and coaching staff". The following day, Bird was forced to apologise for his comments.[53]

In Round 13, Bird was awarded an illegal try on the seventh tackle of a set in the St. George Illawarra Dragons 12-26 loss to the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium; the decision would not have been overturned even if the Dolphins had lost the game.[54] Bird would play a total of 14 games for the club in the 2023 NRL season as they finished 16th on the table.[55]

2024

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In round 12 of the 2024 NRL season, Bird was taken from the field on a stretcher in what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in the clubs 44-12 loss against Canterbury.[56][57] On 9 September, Bird signed a two-year deal to join the Wests Tigers starting in the 2025 NRL season.[58]

Statistics

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Season Team Pld T G FG P
2015 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 23 8 - - 32
2016 26 6 - - 24
2017 17 3 - - 12
2018 Brisbane Broncos 8 - - - 0
2019 9 2 - - 8
2021 St. George Illawarra Dragons 22 4 6 - 28
2022 23 7 1 - 30
2023 14 2 1 - 10
2024 14 4 0 - 10
2025 Wests Tigers
Totals 156 36 8 0 160

*denotes season still competing

Controversy

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On 5 July 2021, Bird was fined $25,000 by the NRL and suspended for one game after breaching the game's Covid-19 biosecurity protocols when he attended a party along with 12 other St. George Illawarra players at Paul Vaughan's property.[59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jack Bird – Player Stats". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Jack Bird – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Jack Bird". NYC Database. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Dragons TV: Jack Bird". St George Illawarra Dragons. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  5. ^ "NSW U20s Origin squad announced". Rugby League Week. 28 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  6. ^ Brady, Jack (18 September 2014). "Bird signs two-year deal with Sharks". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Bird lands at Sharks in 2015". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Junior Kangaroos side to face NZ". National Rugby League. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Sharks name 2015 Nines squad". Rugby League Week. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  11. ^ "NRL Team List – Sharks v Titans". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 24 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  12. ^ Riordan, Joe (28 March 2015). "Sharks v Titans: Five key points". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  13. ^ "Cronulla Youngster Jack Bird Inspires Side to First Win". The Australian. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  14. ^ Glover, Ben (8 April 2015). "Ben Barba Cronulla: Rise of Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes gives veterans uncertain futures". Fox Sports. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  15. ^ "Representative Round team lists". National Rugby League. 3 May 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  16. ^ Brady, Jack (3 May 2015). "Country overcome City in seesawing affair". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  17. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  18. ^ Parkinson, Andrew (29 September 2015). "Outstanding debut for Jack Bird with Dally M Rookie of the Year award". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  19. ^ "Dally M 2015 : Every Award Winner Including Team of the Year". The Daily Telegraph. 29 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  20. ^ "Bird signs contract extension". Zero Tackle. 17 January 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Bird Signs Contract Extension". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Cronulla Sharks name 2016 Nines squad". Rugby League Week. 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  23. ^ Webeck, Tony (8 May 2016). "Young City side stun Country". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  24. ^ "Bird promoted to Blues bench". The Australian. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  25. ^ Chammas, Michael (22 June 2016). "State of Origin 2016: Ruthless Queensland Maroons make NSW Blues pay". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  26. ^ Ritchie, Dean (13 July 2016). "Brilliant Blues win it at the last". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  27. ^ "NRL grand final: Jack Bird played on with suspected broken arm". The Daily Telegraph. AAP. 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  28. ^ "2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines squads". National Rugby League. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  29. ^ Crawley, Paul (11 February 2017). "Indigenous All Stars too hot to handle". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 February 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  30. ^ Gabor, Martin (10 February 2017). "All Stars an eye-opening experience for Bird". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Brisbane Broncos sign NRL star Jack Bird from Cronulla Sharks on three-year deal". Wide World of Sports. Nine Digital. 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019.
  32. ^ Pengilly, Adam (29 June 2017). "State of Origin 2017: Jack Bird craving more minutes in middle with series on line". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  33. ^ Buckley, James (21 September 2017). "Hero's welcome for Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  34. ^ "Wayne Bennett sprays Sharks over handling of Jack Bird's injury, and surprise surgery". Fox Sports. 2 November 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019.
  35. ^ "Jack Bird to make Brisbane Broncos debut v Wests Tigers, NRL teams round 3". Fox Sports. 22 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019.
  36. ^ "Brisbane Broncos down Wests Tigers in golden point". Wide World of Sports. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019.
  37. ^ Rugari, Vince (26 March 2018). "Bird happy with weight despite fat sledges". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019.
  38. ^ "Worth the weight? Jack Bird's pledge to Broncos". Fox Sports. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020.
  39. ^ a b "Wayne Bennett concedes Jack Bird's NRL season likely over". Fox Sports. AAP. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  40. ^ "Storm spoils the party for Seibold's Broncos". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  41. ^ "'Worth the wait?': Fans savage Bird, but stats tell a different story". Fox Sports. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  42. ^ "Norman delivers as Dragons break Bronco hearts". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  43. ^ Gould, Joel (10 May 2019). "Bird injury takes gloss off Milford's magic show for Broncos". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  44. ^ "Bird's season over after Broncos confirm ACL injury". National Rugby League. 11 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  45. ^ St John, Mark (15 March 2019). "Broncos dealt MASSIVE injury blow as $900k star goes down at training". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  46. ^ Gould, Joel (11 March 2020). "'My whole world has come crumbling down': Bird's ACL heartbreak". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  47. ^ Nicolussi, Christian (6 November 2020). "Bird signs with Dragons as he attempts to rekindle NRL career". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  48. ^ "Cronulla Sharks win scrappy clash with Dragons; Canberra Raiders beat Wests Tigers with dominant second half". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 March 2021. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  49. ^ Brundson, Simon (28 August 2021). "Luckless Cowboy ends 14-game losing streak; Dragons find their new No.6: 3 Big Hits". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  50. ^ "Canberra Raiders beat Newcastle Knights to keep alive NRL finals hopes, Dragons thump Titans". ABC News. 21 August 2022.
  51. ^ "'Sums up their season': Dragons get out of jail as Tigers blow unlosable game with huge blunder". www.foxsports.com.au. 28 August 2022.
  52. ^ "NRL 2022: St George Illawarra Dragons season review". www.sportingnews.com. 25 August 2022.
  53. ^ "'Instantly felt bad': Bird apologises for shock swipe at fans but NRL great says he should know better". www.foxsports.com.au. 10 May 2023.
  54. ^ "NRL exposed by Dragons' seventh tackle try debacle in Dolphins loss". news.com.au. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  55. ^ "Hunt call that could define Flanagan era; glaring hole that must be filled: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
  56. ^ "Canterbury Bulldogs thump St George Illawarra Dragons 44-12 to kick off NRL Indigenous Round". www.abc.net.au.
  57. ^ "'He's in agony': Horrific Jack Bird ankle injury sight rocks NRL". www.news.com.au.
  58. ^ "2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Bird, Clark set for off-season moves". www.nrl.com.
  59. ^ "St George Illawarra Dragons players fined $305,000 and given match suspensions". National Rugby League. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
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