David Williams (rugby league)

David Williams

Williams in 2008
Personal information
Nickname	Wolfman
Born	4 August 1986 (1986-08-04) Sydney, Australia
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	92 kg (14 st 7 lb)
Playing information
Position	Wing
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2008–	Manly-Warringah	44	29	2	0	120
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2009	City New South Wales	1	1	0	0	4
2009	New South Wales	2	2	0	0	8
2008	Australia	2	4	0	0	16
As of 20 June 2011
Source: Rugby League Project NRL Stats Herald Sun

David Williams (born 4 August 1986) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League. He plays on the wing and can also play in the centres. He is also the younger brother of Cronulla Sharks player, John Williams.

Williams is a former Parramatta RL Junior, playing for the Hills District Bulls based at Baulkham Hills, North-West Sydney.

In 2008, Williams developed a cult following and became known as the "Wolfman" for his shaggy locks and full beard. Williams scored a try in the 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over Melbourne Storm. Following the Manly Sea Eagles Grand Final victory, he had his beard removed by Manly team-mates as he slept.

In October 2008, Williams was named in the Australia squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. He made his test debut against Papua New Guinea at Dairy Farmers Stadium, scoring 3 tries, becoming one of few players to score a hat-trick on debut in the green and gold, and making a long break which led to another. Due to a hip flexor injury to teammate Brent Tate, Williams was chosen to play in the World Cup Final against New Zealand on 22 November 2008.

David along with some Manly teammates dyed his beard pink for the Women Of League Round to raise money for charity, in their match against the Penrith Panthers in Round 13 2009. He played on the wing in Manly's 28-20 win over the Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road in the 2009 World Club Challenge match on 1 March.

He was selected for City in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009.

He made his New South Wales debut on the wing in State of Origin 2 played on 24 June 2009. Unfortunately for Williams and his NSW teammates, Queensland won the game 24–14, and the series. Williams scored a try in each of the two games he played.

In Round 25 of 2011, Williams broke his neck and was ruled out for the whole season. He has been given 3 to 4 months to recover.

Williams made his return to top flight football on 17 February 2012 for the Sea Eagles when they again traveled to England to face the Leeds Rhino's in the 2012 World Club Challenge match, this time at the Rhino's home ground Headingley Carnegie Stadium. The Wolfman came through the match without further neck problems but his return was spoiled by his opposite number Ryan Hall who scored 2 tries in a Man of the Match performance (including a 95m intercept try in the 27th minute when Williams looked set to score in the corner) that helped Leeds reverse the 2009 result with a 26-12 win.

External links

• Manly Sea Eagles profile
• NRL profile