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| Born | (1986-10-03)3 October 1986 (age 39) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 179 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (15 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Centre, Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Lewis Brown (born 3 October 1986), also known by thenickname of"Sharky",[2] is a New Zealand former professionalrugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s, who played for theNew Zealand Warriors,Penrith Panthers andManly Warringah Sea Eagles in theNational Rugby League. He primarily played atsecond-row, but could also fill in atcentre orhooker.[1]
Brown was born inChristchurch, New Zealand.[citation needed]
Brown who is of Māori Descent started his rugby league career playing for the Riccarton Knights in Christchurch and attendingPapanui High School. He played junior representative football forCanterbury and was a New Zealand under-16 representative.[3] He debuted for theCanterbury Bulls in the2005 Bartercard Cup.[4]
Brown is related to formerNew Zealand representativeBrendon Tuuta.[5]
Brown moved toSydney, playing forCronulla's feeder side Griffith. There he was spotted by scouts from theSydney Roosters and they signed him for theirJersey Flegg Cup side.[3]
He later moved to joinBalmain-Ryde and theWests Tigers, playing for theirNew South Wales Cup side.[6] While he was a feature in the Premier League side, he could not break into thefirst grade side due to the presence ofRobbie Farah andJohn Morris.[3]
In 2008, the Warriors announced that they had secured Brown for the 2009 season on a one-year deal, with an option for another year.[3] He joined the Warriors in October 2008 but arrived with a major foot injury, which hampered his pre-season.[5] He made hisNational Rugby League debut for the Warriors on 3 May 2009, playing against theSt George Illawarra Dragons. In 2010, he signed an extended contract that kept him at the Warriors until 2012.[7]
In the2011 NRL season, Brown played 22 games including the2011 NRL Grand Final which theNew Zealand Warriors lost 24–10 againstManly-Warringah atANZ Stadium.[8] On 28 March 2012, Brown signed a three-year contract with thePenrith Panthers, commencing in the2013 NRL season.[9]
In the2014 NRL season, Brown played 22 games including Penrith's preliminary final defeat byCanterbury-Bankstown atANZ Stadium.[10]
On 20 June 2015, Brown signed a three-year contract with theManly Warringah Sea Eagles starting in 2016.[11] Brown was released byManly-Warringah Sea Eagles at the end of the2018 NRL season which saw the club finish second last after a horror year on and off the field.[12]On 16 January 2019, Brown announced his retirement fromrugby league.[13]
On 27 May 2024, it was announced that Brown had returned to the New Zealand Warriors club in a behind the scenes role to help design future club merchandise and team jerseys.[14]
Brown was named in theNew Zealand national rugby league team for the2010 Four Nations[15] and played for the New Zealand Māori againstEngland in the build up to the tournament.[16]
Lewis Brown made his international debut for theNew Zealand national rugby league team in the2011 ANZAC Test against Australia. He was originally named on an extended bench, and made his debut afterGreg Eastwood withdrew through injury.[17] He also set up Kiwis' debutant wingerMatt Duffie for a try in the 36th minute of the game. Made a tremendous impact within minutes of taking the field during the first half of the Australia V. New Zealand Four Nations game, scoring an impressive try as a result of aGreg Inglis knock on.
