Phil Sigsworth

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Phil Sigsworth
fullname = Phil Sigsworth
nickname = What's-a-packet-a [cite news|publisher="SMH.com.au"|title= The wisdom and wit of nicknames |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/23/1053585706204.html |accessdate=2007-11-13|date=2003-05-24]


caption =
country =
position = rlp|FB|CE|FE
currentclub = Retired
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1959|01|31|df=yes
placeofbirth = Newtown, NSW
countryofbirth = Australia
height =
weight =
club1 = Newtown Jets
year1start = 1977
year1end = 1982
appearances1 = 109
tries1 = 32
goals1 = 41
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 180
club2 = Manly-Warringah
year2start = 1983
year2end = 1984
appearances2 = 34
tries2 = 12
goals2 = 8
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 64
club3 = Canterbury Bulldogs
year3start = 1985
year3end = 1986
appearances3 = 23
tries3 = 4
goals3 = 2
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 18
club4 = Balmain Tigers
year4start = 1987
year4end =
appearances4 = 9
tries4 = 2
goals4 = 0
fieldgoals4 = 0
points4 = 8
teamA = New South Wales
yearAstart = 1981
yearAend = 1983
appearancesA = 3
triesA = 0
goalsA = 2
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 4
teamB = Australia
yearBstart = 1981
yearBend =
appearancesB = 1
triesB = 0
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 0
updated = October 5, 2008
source = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/Phil_Sigsworth.html RL stats] [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Phil_Sigsworth.html RL project]
new = yes

Phil Sigsworth (born 31 January 1959 in Newtown, New South Walescite journal | author = Mitchell Dale | title = Legend Q&A | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =9 April 2008 |pages = pgs 30-31 | publisher = PBLMedia | location = Sydney, NSW | accessdate =2008-07-27] ) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He played primarily in the fullback position.

Playing career

Sigsworth made his first grade debut for Newtown Jets in 1977, enjoying a stellar season in 1981 when he made his Test and State of Origin debut while helping take the Jets to the grand final, which they lost 20–11 to Parramatta.

He was selected for the New South Wales Blues for three State of Origin games from 1981 to 1983 and one Test with the Australian Kangaroos in 1981.

The utility back moved to Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 1983, again losing to the Eels in the grand final, and after two seasons with the Sea Eagles he joined the then-premiers Canterbury Bulldogs in 1985. His time at Belmore is remembered for his send-off in the 1986 grand final for a high tackle on Brett Kenny.cite journal | author = Mitchell Dale | title = Legend Q&A | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =9 April 2008 |pages = pgs 30-31 | publisher = PBLMedia | location = Sydney, NSW | accessdate =2008-07-27] The Bulldogs suffered a 4–2 defeat to the Eels.

Sigsworth has the distinction of being the only Australian player to participate in three grand finals for three different teams, losing all three matches.cite journal | author = Mitchell Dale | title = Legend Q&A | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =9 April 2008 |pages = pgs 30-31 | publisher = PBLMedia | location = Sydney, NSW | accessdate =2008-07-27]

Sigsworth spent one season with Balmain Tigers in 1987 before drawing the curtain on his Sydney first-grade career.

Post-playing career

Sigsworth then moved into coaching, in 1996 he joined English club Hull FC and coached the team to their first First Division championship title in 1997. Sigsworth parted ways with the club in mid 1999 and returned to Australia where he linked up again with the Balmain Tigers as assistant coach to Wayne Pearce. The club merged with Western Suburbs and after one season in 2000 at Wests Tigers, Pearce stepped down as coach and Sigsworth also left. Sigsworth has not been involved with an NRL club since.

Sigsworth remains involved in rugby league as the chairman of the New South Wales Former Origin Greats (FOGS) who support various charities with their regular events such as re-unions, luncheons, golf days. Sigsworth is also involved with the Henry Lawson - Cambridge Park Rugby League team in Western Sydney where he currently resides.

References

ources

*cite book | author=Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson |title=The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players |year=2007
publisher="Gary Allen Pty Ltd" |location=Wetherill Park, New South Wales |isbn=9781877082931 |pages=page 501
*cite journal | author = Mitchell Dale | title = Legend Q&A | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =9 April 2008 |pages = pgs 30-31 | publisher = PBLMedia | location = Sydney, NSW | accessdate =2008-07-27

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.nswformerorigingreats.com NSW FOGS Homepage]
*StateofOrigin player|246
* [http://blogs.abc.net.au/grandstand/2008/06/x-men-of-league.html?site=rugby_league ABC Grandstand Video Interview June 2008]
* [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/main.php?page=player&id=489 Bulldogs player profile]
* [http://www.nrlstats.com/archive/players.cfm?PlayerID=302 "Phil Sigsworth" at "NRL Stats"]