Gary Freeman (rugby league)

Gary Freeman

Freeman in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Gary Ross Freeman
Born	(1962-12-04) 4 December 1962 Auckland, New Zealand
Playing information
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	83 kg (185 lb)
Position	Halfback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1981–87 Northcote Tigers 1983–84 Castleford Tigers 17 4 0 0 16 1988–91 Balmain Tigers 51 19 0 0 76 1992–93 Eastern Suburbs 35 11 0 0 44 1994–95 Penrith Panthers 44 21 0 0 84 1996 Parramatta Eels 21 2 0 0 8 Total 168 57 0 0 228 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 19??–87 Auckland 1986–95 New Zealand 45 10 0 0 40
Coaching information
Representative Years Team Gms W D L W% 2001–02 New Zealand 3 1 0 2 33
Source: RLP Coaching Stats RLP Playing Stats

Gary Ross Freeman, MNZM (born 4 December 1962 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. He was arguably one of New Zealand's greatest Test halfbacks and at the time of his retirement he was the most-capped New Zealand test player and also held the record for most consecutive tests for New Zealand with 37.

Playing career

Freeman was a Bay Roskill Vikings junior and played in New Zealand for the Northcote Tigers, then in Australia for the Balmain Tigers (playing in consecutive grand finals in 1988 and 1989), Eastern Suburbs Roosters, Penrith Panthers, and Parramatta Eels.

Representative career

Freeman played for the Kiwis from 1986-1995.

Coaching career

Freeman also coached New Zealand from 2001-02.

Later years

He was the co host of Fox Sports NRL coverage and panel member of NRL on FOX until 2011. He is now coach of the New South Wales young achievers team.

Awards and Legacy

Freeman is nicknamed "Wiz", short for Wizard.

In the 1997 New Year Honours, Freeman was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to rugby league.

In 2007 Freeman was inducted as one of the NZRL's Legends of League. He is an Auckland Rugby League Immortal.