Rhys Wesser: Difference between revisions

Rhys Wesser
Personal information
Full name	Rhys Joseph Wesser
Born	31 March 1979 (age 45); Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	86 kg (13 st 8 lb)
Position	Fullback, Wing
Club
Representative
	Source:

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Rhys Joseph Wesser (born 31 March 1979) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a fullback. During his 14 seasons in the NRL, he played for the Penrith Panthers, with whom he won the 2003 NRL Premiership, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. His 113 tries for the Penrith Panthers is a club record. Wesser was also a Queensland and Indigenous Dreamtime representative.

Background

Born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Wesser is of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander (Vanuatuan) descent. He played junior rugby league in his hometown with the Rockhampton Brothers.

At age 16, Wesser was selected for the Queensland under-17s representative side. Wesser finished his schooling at Emmaus College, Rockhampton, and also helped his School side take out the Mal Meninga Under 19s Cup, being the fourth fastest 19-year-old in the state, running times around 100 metres in 11 seconds.^{[citation needed]}

Professional playing career

Penrith Panthers

Debuting in 1998 Wesser moved from his hometown of Rockhampton to the foot of the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, to play for the Penrith Panthers but he found trouble in pushing for a first-grade spot with Peter Jorgensen holding that title.^{[citation needed]}

Three years later Rhys was given the opportunity to play first grade with the departure of Jorgensen. Wesser scored ten tries in his debut season despite Penrith finishing last on the premiership table.

In 2002, he scored a Penrith club record of nineteen tries, including three hat-tricks, and was dubbed "Rhys-Lightning" and soon became a crowd favourite with his acceleration and line-breaking ability. The following season Wesser bettered his own record by scoring on 25 occasions, earning the title of the most prolific try-scoring fullback for a season in the history of Australian rugby league. The Panthers won their second premiership title, beat the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final in which Wesser played at fullback.^{[citation needed]}

As 2003 NRL premiers, the Penrith travelled to England to face 2003 Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Wesser played at fullback in the Panthers' 22–4 loss. Wesser's try-scoring declined in 2004 with the addition of Amos Roberts to the squad but he still scored thirteen tries.

Wesser was selected to play for Queensland in the 2004 State of Origin series.

Wesser made the Aboriginal selection in the exhibition game against the New Zealand Māori side as part of the official opening of the 2008 World Cup on 26 October.^[2]

In 2008, Wesser announced that he would be joining the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2009 for a two-year deal.^[3] Wesser's 113 tries is the most scored by any Penrith player.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

In only the second round of the 2009 season, his first with Souths, Wesser injured his knee.^[4] He made his return to the field in the 2010 NRL season.

On 12 August 2011, Wesser announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season.^[5] He was unable to finish his final season of Rugby League due to another knee injury sustained late in the season.

References

^ "Rhys Wesser - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
^ Indigenous Dreamtime team named Archived 1 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine @ Official RLWC08 site, 11 October 2008.
^ "Souths sign Rhys Wesser". The Australian. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
^ Jackson, Glenn (21 March 2009). "Merritt's slide may prove costly for Souths". Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
^ "Wesser announces NRL retirement". NRL. 12 August 2011.

External links

Rhys Wesser at Rugby League Tables
Official Penrith Panthers Webpage
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Round 5 2005

[1] "Rhys Wesser - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 6 November 2019.

[2] Indigenous Dreamtime team named Archived 1 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine @ Official RLWC08 site, 11 October 2008.

[3] "Souths sign Rhys Wesser". The Australian. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2009.

[4] Jackson, Glenn (21 March 2009). "Merritt's slide may prove costly for Souths". Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.

[Wesser_announces_NRL_retirement-5] "Wesser announces NRL retirement". NRL. 12 August 2011.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
 {{Use Australian English|date=April 2011}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2011}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
 {{Infobox rugby league biography
-|name     = Rhys Wesser
+|name           = Rhys Wesser
 |fullname       = Rhys Joseph Wesser
 |nickname       = Rhys Lightning
-|image          = Rhys Wesser (16 April 2005).jpg
+|image          = Rhys Wesser.jpg
-|image_size = 200px
+|image_size     =
-|caption        = <small>Wesser in 2005</small>
+|caption        =
 |position       = {{rlp|FB|WG}}
-|birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1979|3|31|df=yes}}
+|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1979|03|31|df=yes}}
-|birth_place   = [[Rockhampton, Queensland]], [[Australia]]
+|birth_place    = [[Rockhampton]], [[Queensland, Australia]]
-|height         = {{convert|175|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
+|height         = {{convert|180|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
 |weight         = {{convert|86|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
-|retired = yes
+|retired        = yes
 |club1          = [[Penrith Panthers]]
 |year1start     = 1998
 |year1end       = 08
-|appearances1   = 177
+|appearances1   = 178
 |tries1         = 113
 |goals1         = 1
 |fieldgoals1    = 0
-|points1        = 454
+|points1        = 460
 |club2          = [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|South Sydney]]
 |year2start     = 2009
@@ Line 46: / Line 47: @@
 |fieldgoalsB    = 0
 |pointsB        = 8
+|source         = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/rhys-wesser/summary.html|title= Rhys Wesser - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|website=rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
-|updated        = 16 July 2010
+|updated        = 6 November 2019
-|source         = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Rhys_Wesser/summary.html RLP]
 }}
-'''Rhys Joseph Wesser''' (born 31 March 1979) is an [[Australian]] former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who last played for the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] of the [[National Rugby League|NRL]]. A [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] representative [[Rugby League positions#Fullback|fullback]], he previously played for the [[Penrith Panthers]], with whom he won the [[2003 NRL Premiership]].
+'''Rhys Joseph Wesser''' (born 31 March 1979) is an Australian former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played as a {{rlp|fb}}. During his 14 seasons in the [[National Rugby League|NRL]], he played for the [[Penrith Panthers]], with whom he won the [[2003 NRL Premiership]], and the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]. His 113 tries for the Penrith Panthers is a club record. Wesser was also a [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[Indigenous Dreamtime team|Indigenous Dreamtime]] representative.
 ==Background==
-Wesser began his rugby league career in the Queensland town of [[Rockhampton]] having moved there, with his junior club, the Rockhampton Brothers. At age 16, Wesser was selected for the Queensland Under 17s representative side. Wesser finished his schooling at [[Emmaus College (Rockhampton, Queensland)|Emmaus College]], Rockhampton, and also helped his School side take out the Mal Meninga Under 19s Cup, being the fourth fastest 19-year-old in the state, running times around 100 metres in 11 seconds.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Wesser is of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] and [[South Sea Islander]] ([[Ni-Vanuatu|Vanuatuan]]) descent.
+Born in [[Rockhampton]], [[Queensland]], Wesser is of [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] and [[South Sea Islander]] ([[Ni-Vanuatu|Vanuatuan]]) descent. He played junior rugby league in his hometown with the [[Rockhampton Brothers]].
+At age 16, Wesser was selected for the Queensland under-17s representative side. Wesser finished his schooling at [[Emmaus College, Rockhampton|Emmaus College]], Rockhampton, and also helped his School side take out the Mal Meninga Under 19s Cup, being the fourth fastest 19-year-old in the state, running times around 100 metres in 11 seconds.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}
 ==Professional playing career==
 ===Penrith Panthers===
-Debuting in 1998 Wesser moved from his hometown of Rockhampton to the foot of the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]], [[New South Wales]], to play for the [[Penrith Panthers]] but he found trouble in pushing for a first-grade spot with [[Peter Jorgensen]] holding that title. Three years later Rhys was given the opportunity to play first grade with the departure of Jorgensen. Wesser scored ten tries in his debut season despite Penrith finishing last on the premiership table.
+Debuting in 1998 Wesser moved from his hometown of Rockhampton to the foot of the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]], [[New South Wales]], to play for the [[Penrith Panthers]] but he found trouble in pushing for a first-grade spot with [[Peter Jorgensen]] holding that title.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
+Three years later Rhys was given the opportunity to play first grade with the departure of Jorgensen. Wesser scored ten tries in his debut season despite Penrith finishing last on the premiership table.
-In 2002, he scored a Penrith club record of nineteen tries, including three hat-tricks, and was dubbed "Rhys-Lightning" and soon became a crowd favourite with his acceleration and line-breaking ability. The following season Wesser bettered his own record by scoring on 25 occasions, earning the title of the most prolific try-scoring fullback for a season in the history of Australian rugby league. The Panthers won their second premiership title, thrashing the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the [[2003 NRL grand final]] in which Wesser played at fullback.
+In 2002, he scored a Penrith club record of nineteen tries, including three hat-tricks, and was dubbed "Rhys-Lightning" and soon became a crowd favourite with his acceleration and line-breaking ability. The following season Wesser bettered his own record by scoring on 25 occasions, earning the title of the most prolific try-scoring fullback for a season in the history of Australian rugby league. The Panthers won their second premiership title, beat the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the [[2003 NRL grand final]] in which Wesser played at fullback.{{cn|date=March 2023}}
-As 2003 NRL premiers, the Panthers travelled to England to face 2003 Super League champions, the [[Bradford Bulls]] in the [[2004 World Club Challenge]]. Wesser played at [[Fullback (rugby league)|fullback]] in the Panthers' 22-4 loss. Wesser's try-scoring declined in 2004 with the addition of [[Amos Roberts]] to the squad but he still scored thirteen tries. Wesser was selected to play for Queensland in the [[2004 State of Origin series]].
+As 2003 NRL premiers, the Penrith travelled to England to face 2003 Super League champions, the [[Bradford Bulls]] in the [[2004 World Club Challenge]]. Wesser played at {{rlp|fb}} in the Panthers' 22–4 loss. Wesser's try-scoring declined in 2004 with the addition of [[Amos Roberts]] to the squad but he still scored thirteen tries.
-In 2008, Wesser announced that he would be joining the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] in 2009 for a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''[[The Australian]]''|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24141536-2722,00.html|title=Souths sign Rhys Wesser|date=7 August 2008|accessdate=13 July 2009}}</ref> Wesser's 113 tries is the most scored by any Penrith player.
+Wesser was selected to play for Queensland in the [[2004 State of Origin series]].
+[[File:Rhys Wesser (16 April 2005).jpg|thumb|right|Wesser in 2005]]
+Wesser made the [[Australian Aboriginal rugby league team|Aboriginal selection]] in the exhibition game against the [[New Zealand Māori rugby league team|New Zealand Māori side]] as part of the official opening of the 2008 World Cup on 26 October.<ref>[http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/09/indigenous-dreamtime-team-named.aspx Indigenous Dreamtime team named] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101120935/http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/10/09/indigenous-dreamtime-team-named.aspx |date=1 January 2010 }} @ '''Official RLWC08 site''', 11 October 2008.</ref>
+In 2008, Wesser announced that he would be joining the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] in 2009 for a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24141536-2722,00.html|title=Souths sign Rhys Wesser|date=7 August 2008|access-date=13 July 2009}}</ref> Wesser's 113 tries is the most scored by any Penrith player.
 ===South Sydney Rabbitohs===
-In only the second round of the 2009 season, his first with Souths, Wesser injured his knee.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson |first=Glenn |publisher=''Fairfax Digital'' |url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/merrits-slide-may-prove-costly/2009/03/20/1237526336801.html |title=Merritt's slide may prove costly for Souths |date=21 March 2009 |accessdate=13 July 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20090624205937/http://www.leaguehq.com.au:80/news/news/merrits-slide-may-prove-costly/2009/03/20/1237526336801.html |archivedate=24 June 2009 }}</ref> He made his return to the field in the [[2010 NRL season]].
+In only the second round of the 2009 season, his first with Souths, Wesser injured his knee.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Glenn|publisher=Fairfax Digital|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/merrits-slide-may-prove-costly/2009/03/20/1237526336801.html|title=Merritt's slide may prove costly for Souths|date=21 March 2009|access-date=13 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624205937/http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/merrits-slide-may-prove-costly/2009/03/20/1237526336801.html|archive-date=24 June 2009 }}</ref> He made his return to the field in the [[2010 NRL season]].
 On 12 August 2011, Wesser announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season.<ref name="Wesser announces NRL retirement">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/wesser-announces-nrl-retirement/tabid/10874/newsid/64223/default.aspx|title=Wesser announces NRL retirement|publisher=NRL|date=2011-08-12}}</ref> He was unable to finish his final season of Rugby League due to another knee injury sustained late in the season.
@@ Line 72: / Line 83: @@
 ==External links==
-*[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/R/Rhys_Wesser.html Rhys Wesser] at ''Rugby League Tables''
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100727002855/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/R/Rhys_Wesser.html Rhys Wesser] at ''Rugby League Tables''
 *[http://www.panthers.com.au Official Penrith Panthers Webpage]
-*[http://www.nrl.com/season/matchreview.cfm?MatchID=685 Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Round 5 2005]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050918235809/http://www.nrl.com/season/matchreview.cfm?MatchID=685 Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm Round 5 2005]
 {{Penrith Panthers squad 2003 NRL premiership}}
@@ Line 82: / Line 93: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Wesser, Rhys}}
 [[Category:1979 births]]
+[[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:Australian Aboriginal rugby league team players]]
+[[Category:Australian people of Vanuatuan descent]]
 [[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
+[[Category:Indigenous All Stars players]]
 [[Category:Indigenous Australian rugby league players]]
-[[Category:Australian people of Vanuatuan descent]]
+[[Category:North Sydney Bears NSW Cup players]]
 [[Category:Penrith Panthers players]]
-[[Category:South Sydney Rabbitohs players]]
 [[Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players]]
-[[Category:Australian Aboriginal rugby league team players]]
 [[Category:Rugby league fullbacks]]
-[[Category:Rugby league players from Queensland]]
+[[Category:Rugby league players from Rockhampton, Queensland]]
-[[Category:People from Rockhampton]]
+[[Category:South Sydney Rabbitohs players]]
-[[Category:Living people]]