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Zak Hardaker

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Zak Hardaker
Personal information
Full nameZak Alexander Hardaker[1][2]
Born (1991-10-17) 17 October 1991 (age 33)
Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Weight14 st 2 lb (90 kg)[3]
Playing information
PositionFullback, Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010 Featherstone Rovers 14 22 0 0 88
2011–16 Leeds Rhinos 155 67 43 1 355
2011(loan) → Featherstone Rovers 5 6 0 0 24
2016(loan) → Penrith Panthers 11 1 0 0 4
2017(loan) → Castleford Tigers 19 5 0 0 20
2017 Castleford Tigers 11 8 1 0 34
2019–22 Wigan Warriors 80 26 218 2 542
2022 Leeds Rhinos 18 2 12 0 32
2023–24 Leigh Leopards 52 10 39 0 118
2025– Hull FC 0 0 0 0 0
Total 365 147 313 3 1217
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012 England Knights 1 2 0 0 8
2012–15 England 7 2 0 0 8
2019 Great Britain 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [4][5][6]
As of 3 October 2024

Zak Alexander Hardaker (born 17 October 1991) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or fullback for the Hull FC in the Super League. He has played for the England Knights, England and Great Britain at international level.

Hardaker previously played for as a centre, fullback and on the wing for the Featherstone Rovers in the Championship, and the Leeds Rhinos over two separate spells in the Super League. He has spent time on loan from Leeds at the Penrith Panthers in the NRL and the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.[5]

Hardaker has won two Challenge Cups and three Super League championships with Leeds. Individually he has been named to the Super League Dream Team on two occasions, and was the 2015 Man of Steel.[4]

In September 2017, Hardaker failed a drugs test after testing positive for cocaine.[7] He was subsequently dropped by Castleford and England and missed the 2017 Super League Grand Final, which Castleford lost 24–6 to Leeds, and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup before being dismissed by Castleford on 21 February 2018.[8] On 30 April 2018 UK Anti-Doping announced that Hardaker was banned from all sports for 14 months, backdated to the date of the original failed drugs test and suspension on 8 September 2017.

Whilst still suspended, Hardaker signed for Wigan in May 2018[9] before joining them in November 2018 after his suspension ended. Whilst preparing for his comeback, he was banned from driving after being arrested for drink-driving at the end of September 2018.[10]

On 20 January 2019 he made his debut for Wigan, having not played for 16 months, and scored 12 points in their 28-18 pre-season friendly victory over the Salford Red Devils.[11]

On 22 April 2022, it was announced that Hardaker had left Wigan with immediate effect, to return to his family base in Yorkshire, and pursue other opportunities close to home, after he was dropped from the team, for the Easter weekend fixtures against St Helens and Wakefield respectively.[12]

On 27 April 2022, Hardaker rejoined Leeds Rhinos until the end of the season, and was selected in the 21 man squad to face Hull KR on 29 April. However, on 28 April, it was reported that Hardaker had collapsed, and suffered a seizure whilst out on a walk with his son, and was taken to hospital in Wakefield as a precaution, before being discharged. Due to health and safety reasons, he did not play.[13]

Background

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Hardaker was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

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Featherstone Rovers

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Hardaker joined the Featherstone Rovers from the local amateur side Featherstone Lions after leaving Carleton High School in Pontefract. He previously played for his hometown club Knottingley Rockware before signing professional terms with the Featherstone Rovers.[citation needed]

He scored a hat-trick of tries on his 2010 début for the Featherstone Rovers against Hunslet, and went on to score 22 tries in 14 games in all competitions in his début season. This included two tries in the Featherstone Rovers' extra-time 22–23 defeat by Halifax in the Co-operative Grand Final.

At the end of the season he was named joint Co-operative Championship Young Player of the Year, along with Gareth Moore of Batley Bulldogs.[citation needed]

Leeds

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Hardaker signed for Leeds in October 2010 for a transfer fee of around £60,000 and was awarded the number 27 jersey.[14] He trained with the Rhinos senior squad during pre-season and made two appearances in pre-season friendlies, before returning to Featherstone Rovers on a dual contract for the 2011 season. He made five further appearances for Featherstone, scoring five tries.

In March 2011, due to injuries to Leeds wingers Ben Jones-Bishop & Lee Smith, Hardaker was called back to the club & made his Super League début against St Helens at Headingley. Hardaker scored a try in Leeds' 30–16 loss. Hardaker then featured sporadically for Leeds throughout the season; arguably his best match was in the playoff game against Huddersfield, in which he scored a hat-trick[15] and picked up the man of the match award in a 34–28 victory.

He also scored the final try in the 2011 Super League Grand Final as Leeds defeated St Helens 32–16 at Old Trafford, Manchester.[16][17]

Hardaker was handed the number 4 jersey for the 2012 season, taking over from long-time servant Keith Senior. However, following an injury to Brent Webb, he moved to fullback for the latter half of the season and showed excellent form as Leeds successfully defended their Super League title. Hardaker was awarded the 2012 Super League Young Player of the Year.

He played in the 2012 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.[18][19][20][21]

He played in the 2012 Super League Grand Final victory over Warrington at Old Trafford.[22][19]

At the start of 2013, Hardaker suffered a broken thumb in a 42–14 victory for Leeds over Salford, causing him to miss the 2013 World Club Challenge match against Melbourne Storm.[23][24][25]

Hardaker was part of the Leeds squad that won the 2014 Challenge Cup Final with victory over Castleford at Wembley Stadium.[26]

He earned his first selection in the Super League Dream Team at the end of the season. His form also saw him earn a recall to the England squad for the 2014 Four Nations, however, he did not feature in the tournament.

Hardaker's form continued in 2015, and he was part of the Leeds squad that won the 2015 Challenge Cup, with victory over the Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium.[27][28][29]

At the end of the season, he was named Man of Steel, the first Leeds player to win the award since Iestyn Harris in 1998.[30]

He played in the 2015 Super League Grand Final victory over the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.[31]

In June 2016, Hardaker requested a transfer from Leeds following the clubs poor form which saw them sitting bottom of the league table.[32]

Penrith (loan)

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On 23 June 2016 Hardaker signed for the NRL team Penrith on loan for the remainder of the 2016 season in a swap for James Segeyaro.[33]

He débuted for the Penrith club in Round 17 against the West Tigers in the Penrith's 26–34 loss. Three weeks later, he scored his first career NRL try in Round 20 in the Penrith's 31–12 win over the Brisbane Broncos at Lang Park on 22 July. Zak played with Penrith all the way to the semi-finals where the clubs 2016 NRL season ended. He finished off his maiden year in the NRL playing in 11 games for the Penrith Panthers (including two finals games), scoring one try and assisting three others.[34]

Castleford

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On 8 November 2016, it was announced that he had signed a one-year loan deal to play for Castleford, with a deal in place for Castleford to sign him for an "already agreed fee" should all parties agree to it at the end of his loan agreement.[35] At the end of the Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers match on the 24 February 2017, Zak donated his man of the match cheque to the Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract.

On 27 June 2017, it was announced that he had joined Castleford on a permanent basis, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club.[36] A transfer fee of £150,000 was agreed between all parties.[36]

His contract was terminated by Castleford on 21 February 2018 following his suspension in September 2017 for drug offences.[37]

Wigan

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On 18 May 2018, it was announced that he had joined Wigan on a four-year contract commencing upon completion of his suspension from the sport.[38] He made his debut for the team in Wigan's pre-season friendly against the Salford Red Devils on 20 January 2019, scoring 12-points in the 28–18 victory.

Hardaker walking out for the Wigan Warriors at Anfield in 2019

Hardaker played in the 2020 Super League Grand Final for Wigan which the club lost 8–4. With less than a minute to go in the game with the scores at 4-4, Hardaker had a penalty goal attempt from 40 yards out to win the game for Wigan. Hardaker missed the conversion and St Helens went down the other end to score the match winning try on the full-time siren.[39]

In round 8 of the 2021 Super League season, Hardaker was sent off and later suspended for two matches after headbutting Catalans Dragons player Sam Tomkins in Wigan's 48-0 loss.[40] On April 21, 2022, Hardaker was sacked by Wigan for disciplinary issues.[41]

Leeds

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On 26 April 2022, it was announced that Hardaker had rejoined Leeds for the remainder of the 2022 Super League season.[42] On 24 September 2022, Hardaker played for Leeds in their 24-12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.[43]

Leigh

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On 20 October 2022, Hardaker signed a contract to join the newly promoted Leigh side. The move was seen as controversial due to Hardaker leaving Wigan only months earlier citing homesickness and travel time between where the club was located and its proximity to Yorkshire.[44][45] On 12 August 2023, Hardaker played for Leigh in their 17-16 Challenge Cup final victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.[46] Hardaker played 23 games for Leigh in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fifth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. Hardaker played in their elimination playoff loss against Hull Kington Rovers.[47] In July 2024, Hull F.C. announced that Hardaker would join the club from the start of the 2025 season on a two-year contract.[48] Hardaker played 25 games for Leigh in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish fifth on the table. Hardaker played in the clubs semi-final loss to Wigan.[49]

Hull F.C.

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On 8 July 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Hull F.C. in the Super League on a two-year deal.[50]

International career

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In 2012, Hardaker made his England début at fullback at the end of the season in the 2012 Autumn International Series on 27 October 2012 v Wales.[6][51][52]

Hardaker was named in England's squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup; however, he was later forced to withdraw from the squad for personal reasons mid-tournament.

In 2015, Zak made his first appearance for England since the 2012 Autumn International Series. He appeared for England in a test match against France where the English went on to destroy the away team.[53] He was also selected for the test series against New Zealand which started a week later.

He was selected in squad for the 2019 Great Britain Lions tour of the Southern Hemisphere.[54] He made his Great Britain test debut in the defeat by Tonga.[55]

Honours

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Leeds Rhinos

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Castleford Tigers

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Wigan Warriors

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Leigh Leopards

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International

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Individual

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Controversies

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In November 2013, Hardaker withdrew from the England squad during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, citing personal reasons.[56] He was later handed a £2,500 fine and a written warning by his club Leeds Rhinos after he "acted unprofessionally" prior to his withdrawal from the squad.[57]

In June 2014, Hardaker received a five-match ban and a £300 fine for making homophobic comments which appeared to be directed towards referee James Child.[58] Hardaker issued a public apology for the incident, claiming the insult had been directed towards Warrington Wolves player Michael Monaghan rather than the referee.[59]

In March 2015, Hardaker and Leeds teammate Elliot Minchella were detained and questioned by police over the alleged assault of a 22-year-old student, causing Hardaker to miss his side's 18–6 defeat by Warrington Wolves. Hardaker did not face criminal charges, but admitted to the assault and agreed to pay £200 compensation and write a letter of apology to the victim. He was also once again subject to internal disciplinary action by his club.[60]

In October 2017, Hardaker was omitted from Castleford Tigers squad for the 2017 Super League Grand Final against former club Leeds. Castleford issued a statement saying that Hardaker had been left out for an unspecified "breach of club rules".[61] On 9 October 2017, Castleford released a statement confirming Hardaker had received a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.[62] It was also announced that Hardaker would not be selected for the England squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after testing positive for cocaine.[63][64]

In September 2018, Hardaker was arrested for allegedly drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid MOT. He was banned from driving in October 2018, having been found to be over double the legal limit.[65]

In February 2024, Hardaker was again found guilty of driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol and driving without due care and attention. He was charged at Leeds Magistrates Court, and received a fine of £1346 along with a three-year driving ban.[66] Leigh Leopards issued a club statement, committing their continued support to Hardaker following the incident.[67][68]

References

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  1. ^ "Hardaker Excited About Future For England Rugby League". Leeds Rhinos. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Zak Alexander Hardaker". Companies House. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Zak Hardaker Leeds Rhinos". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Profile at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Club Statement: Zak Hardaker". Castleford Tigers. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Castleford Tigers dismiss Zak Hardaker after failed drugs test". Yorkshire Evening Post. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Wigan Warriors confirm Zak Hardaker signing on four-year deal". Sky Sports. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Wigan Warriors star signing Zak Hardaker arrested for drink driving". Wigan Today. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. ^ "New Wigan Warriors star Zak Hardaker pleased to tick another box". 20 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Zak Hardaker leaves Wigan with immediate effect". 22 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Hardaker's Leeds return delayed after collapse". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Leeds sign hottest prospect Zak Hardaker from Featherstone". The Guardian. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Zak Hardaker hat-trick helps Leeds hold off Huddersfield's late charge". The Guardian. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  16. ^ "Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens". Guardian. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  17. ^ "St Helens 16 Leeds 32". Daily Telegraph. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  18. ^ "Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final". Guardian UK. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Leeds' Kevin Sinfield stars in Grand Final triumph against Warrington". Guardian. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  20. ^ "Leeds Rhinos 18–35 Warrington Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  21. ^ "Warrington Wolves Are Challenge Cup Winners 2012!". Warrington Wolves Official Site. 25 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Grand Final: Warrington 18-26 Leeds". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  23. ^ "Leeds suffer setback as Zak Hardaker is ruled out of World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm". The Telegraph. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  24. ^ "RLWC2013: Hardaker bides time in pursuit of honours". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  25. ^ James Riach (21 October 2013). "'Embarrassed' England can still sparkle, says Australia coach Tim Sheens". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  26. ^ "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  27. ^ "Leeds emphatically shut out Hull KR to lift Challenge Cup". Guardian. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Scoreboard". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 2982. 31 August 2015. p. 31.
  29. ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 0-50 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  30. ^ Bower, Aaron (5 October 2015). "Zak Hardaker makes Leeds history by landing the Man of Steel title". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  31. ^ "Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final". Guardian. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  32. ^ "Zak Hardaker: Leeds Rhinos put Man of Steel on transfer list". Bbc.co.uk. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  33. ^ "Leeds Rhinos: Zak Hardaker joins Penrith in swap deal for James Segeyaro". Bbc.co.uk. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  34. ^ "Zak Hardaker - Penrith Panthers - NRL.com". Nrl.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  35. ^ "Tigers agree Hardaker deal". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  36. ^ a b "Hardaker is now a Tiger!". Castleford Tigers. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  37. ^ "Zak Hardaker: Castleford Tigers dismiss full-back for failed drugs test". BBC Sport. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  38. ^ "Warriors sign Hardaker". Wigan Warriors. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  39. ^ "Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens". BBC Sport.
  40. ^ "Wigan Warriors full-back given two-match ban after red card for headbutt". www.skysports.com.
  41. ^ "Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker set to be 'sacked' according to reports". www.wigantoday.net.
  42. ^ "Zak Hardaker rejoins Leeds after Wigan exit - 'It's like going back to your old school'". www.skysports.com.
  43. ^ Bower, Aaron (24 September 2022). "St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final". The Observer.
  44. ^ "Rugby League news: Leigh Leopards sign Zak Hardaker after rebrand, Super League transfers". www.hulldailymail.co.uk.
  45. ^ "Wigan Warriors: Fans react to Zak Hardaker's move to the newly rebranded Leigh Leopards". www.wigantoday.net.
  46. ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 16-17 Leigh Leopards - Leigh claim first Wembley final win in 52 years". BBC Sport.
  47. ^ "Leigh Leopards 2023 season in review". www.leighleopards.co.uk. 16 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Hardaker to join Hull FC for 2025 season". Sky Sports. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Super League semi-finals: Wigan Warriors cruise past Leigh Leopards- live commentary and video clips". www.skysports.com.
  50. ^ "Hardaker to join Hull FC from Leigh in 2025". BBC Sport. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  51. ^ Baxter, Trevor (26 December 2013). "Leeds 18-18 Wakefield: Zak Hardaker moves on from England nightmare in first appearance since world cup". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  52. ^ "Wales 12-80 England". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  53. ^ "England demolish France 84-4 in record win". Skysports.com. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  54. ^ "Zak Hardaker shock inclusion in 24-man Great Britain squad for tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea". Telegraph. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  55. ^ "Great Britain left bruised at Tonga party". Times. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  56. ^ "England's Zak Hardaker pulls out of World Cup over 'personal issues'". The Guardian. 4 November 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  57. ^ "Hardaker hit by Rhinos fine". ESPN. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  58. ^ "Zak Hardaker of Leeds given five-match ban for homophobic abuse". The Guardian. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  59. ^ "Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker apologises for homophobic comments". The Guardian. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  60. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Leeds Rhinos players admit assault in student flats". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  61. ^ "Zak Hardaker out of Grand Final for 'breach of club rules'". Skysports.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  62. ^ "Club Statement: Zak Hardaker'". castlefordtigers.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  63. ^ Bower, Aaron (9 October 2017). "Zak Hardaker banned from rugby league after positive test for cocaine". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  64. ^ "Zak Hardaker: Castleford Tigers full-back banned after positive drugs test". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  65. ^ "Zak Hardaker: Wigan Warriors player banned for drink driving". BBC News. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  66. ^ "Zak Hardaker found guilty of drink driving again with Leigh Leopards star banned". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  67. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT - ZAK HARDAKER". Leigh Leopards. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  68. ^ "Zak Hardaker found guilty of drink driving again with Leigh Leopards star banned". www.examinerlive.co.uk.
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