Ben Harris (born 24 September 1983) is an Australian former rugby league player. He is the first player in the history of the sport to have won grand finals in each hemisphere over consecutive seasons. He played in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with whom he won the 2004 premiership, and the North Queensland Cowboys. He also played in England for the Bradford Bulls, with whom he won the 2005 Super League championship. He played primarily as a centre.
[edit] Playing career
[edit] Canterbury
Harris made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2002 at the age of 18.[1] He played in 42 first-grade matches for the club, including as the starting centre for their grand final victory over the Sydney Roosters in 2004.
[edit] Bradford Bulls
Harris joined English club the Bradford Bulls in May 2005, saying that his wife, who was born in Portugal, wanted to live in Europe.[2] Bradford won the Super League premiership in his first season there, and he started in the grand final win over the Leeds Rhinos. He thus won premierships in each hemisphere over consecutive seasons, becoming the first player in the history of rugby league to do so.[3]
[edit] North Queensland Cowboys
Harris returned to the NRL in 2008, signing for the North Queensland Cowboys as a replacement for the retiring Paul Bowman in the centres.[3] In his first season for the Cowboys he was selected for the Country Origin team, his first and only representative football.[4] Over time, he moved into the Cowboys' forward pack, playing in the second row.[5] He retired from professional football after injury plagued seasons in 2009 and 2010.[6][7]
[edit] References
| Persondata |
| Name |
Harris, Ben |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Australian rugby league player |
| Date of birth |
24 September 1983 |
| Place of birth |
Taree, New South Wales |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
