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| Full name | Andrew Ryan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1978-12-02)2 December 1978 (age 46) Dubbo,New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Lock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Andrew Ryan (born 2 December 1978,Dubbo,New South Wales) is an Australian former professionalrugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. AnAustralian international andNew South WalesState of Origin representative forward, he played his club football in theNational Rugby League for theParramatta Eels andCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, winning the2004 NRL premiership with the club and becoming their captain.
OfIrish descent, A Dubbo High School, St. Johns Dubbo andEmu Plains JRLFC junior, Ryan made his debut for theParramatta Eels against theBrisbane Broncos at Parramatta Stadium in round 2 of the2000 NRL season. Ryan played in the club's preliminary final defeat against theBrisbane Broncos in the same year.[3]
He was named the2000 Parramatta Eels season's rookie of the year. In the2001 NRL season, Ryan made 24 appearances as Parramatta finished as runawayMinor Premiers after one of the most dominant seasons in the modern era where the club set numerous point scoring records.[4]
Ryan played from the interchange bench for Parramatta in their shock2001 NRL grand final loss to theNewcastle Knights. After three seasons with theParramatta Eels, the club was unable to retain Ryan due to the salary cap and the man known as 'Bobcat' accepted a deal to join arch-rivals the Canterbury-Bankstown for the2003 NRL season.[5]
His second season with Canterbury-Bankstown was personally and professionally his most successful – with a return toState of Origin, selection at international level, and a premiership win in the2004 NRL grand final for Canterbury over cross-town rivals, theSydney Roosters. Ryan pulled off a try saving tackle on the full-time siren during the match on Sydney Roosters player Michael Crocker which won Canterbury the game.[6]Ryan also captained the Canterbury side in this match with regularcaptainSteve Price ruled out after sustaining an injury in the preliminary final against the 2003 premiers, thePenrith Panthers.
Ryan was selected in the Australian team to go and compete in the end of season2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final againstGreat Britain he played at second-row forward in the Kangaroos' 44–4 victory.
In 2005, Ryan became captain of the club following Price's move to theNew Zealand Warriors. Ryan was selected to play for theAustralian national team at lock forward the 2007ANZAC Test match victory against New Zealand.[7] In 2009, he was named Dally M Captain of the Year, after leading the club to within one game of a Grand Final appearance, after they had finished the year prior with the wooden spoon.[8]
He was the last 2004 premiership-winning player still at the club when he retired at the conclusion of the2011 NRL season.
Ryan is now an ambassador and player welfare officer for the National Rugby League.[9]
Ryan is also an Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador for the Australian Government.[10]
Ryan was selected to representNew South Wales as variously a second-rower or lock in five series to the end of 2007:
Ryan was also a mainstay of theAustralian Kangaroos, appearing in threeTri-Nations series in2004,2005 and2006 as well as a Test againstFrance in 2005. He was selected for Country in theCity vs Country match on 8 May 2009.[11]
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