Brett Dallas
Encyclopedia
Brett Dallas is an Australia
n former rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative winger, his club career included stints with both Canterbury and North Sydney in Australia's domestic competition, and the Wigan Warriors
in Europe's Super League
competition. He was notable for his great speed, winning the Sydney rugby league sprint in 1993.
in 1992, and was at the club until 1995 when he transferred to North Sydney
. There he made 76 appearances, scoring 46 tries. He left North Sydney to join Wigan when the club merged with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to form the new franchise, Northern Eagles
.
in a pre-season friendly. He had to wait until the fourth round of the Challenge Cup to score his first try for the club in a 98-4 victory over Whitehaven Warriors
.
Dallas was out of action for 10 weeks in 2000 after sustaining a broken jaw sustained in an away victory against Bradford Bulls
. At the time he was Wigan's leading try-scorer with 17. He made a try-scoring return to first team action in the last match of the regular season at St Helens, in a 42-4 victory that secured Wigan the 2000 Minor Premiership. He finished the season with a total of 20 tries behind only fellow Aussie Steve Renouf
and Kris Radlinski
.
Dallas again missed the end of the 2002 Super League season with a knee injury requiring a full reconstruction operation in Australia. Whilst he was at home with his family he took the opportunity to get married.
He returned to the club in 2003 but again succumbed to a hamstring injury, and was linked with Australian club Cronulla Sharks
. However, Dallas was determined to win back his place in the Wigan side and declined the deal. His decision was fully justified, as he returned to form in the latter half of the season, helping Wigan to reach the 2003 Grand Final, in the process earning a new contract. Dallas' good form continued into 2004, earning himself a new two-year contract which makes him one of the club's longest serving overseas players.
in State of Origin
(1993–1997). He made his international debut for Australia against New Zealand in 1995, scoring two tries. In total he made six Test appearances, including four matches in the World Cup
(which Australia won) and has scored nine tries. His most recent Test appearance was in 1997.
win with the Wigan Warriors in 2002. Dallas wanted to score a try in his final game for Wigan but was unable to do, so instead took the final conversion kick at goal. His kick, however, just missed. At the end of the game, his final act in Wigan colours was to leave his boots in the centre of the field as he was applauded by Wigan spectators all over the stadium. It was regarded as a fitting tribute to the supporters of Dallas over the years and an emotional final night of action from the flying Aussie winger. There were rumours that Dallas would return to Australia to play in the NRL but, in a speech to the Wigan fans after his final game, he said that he has no plans for the near future apart from enjoying his retirement.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative winger, his club career included stints with both Canterbury and North Sydney in Australia's domestic competition, and the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in Europe's Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
competition. He was notable for his great speed, winning the Sydney rugby league sprint in 1993.
Early career
Dallas began his career at the Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsCanterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
in 1992, and was at the club until 1995 when he transferred to North Sydney
North Sydney Bears
The North Sydney Bears are an Australian rugby league football club based in North Sydney, New South Wales. They currently compete in the New South Wales Cup, having exited the National Rugby League following the 1999 NRL season after 92 years of top-grade competition. The Bears are based on...
. There he made 76 appearances, scoring 46 tries. He left North Sydney to join Wigan when the club merged with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to form the new franchise, Northern Eagles
Northern Eagles
The Northern Eagles were a rugby league team, that competed in the National Rugby League between 2000 and 2002. The club was formed during the rationalisation process of the NRL by the merger of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2000...
.
Wigan Warriors career
Dallas made his Wigan debut against SalfordSalford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
in a pre-season friendly. He had to wait until the fourth round of the Challenge Cup to score his first try for the club in a 98-4 victory over Whitehaven Warriors
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
.
Dallas was out of action for 10 weeks in 2000 after sustaining a broken jaw sustained in an away victory against Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
. At the time he was Wigan's leading try-scorer with 17. He made a try-scoring return to first team action in the last match of the regular season at St Helens, in a 42-4 victory that secured Wigan the 2000 Minor Premiership. He finished the season with a total of 20 tries behind only fellow Aussie Steve Renouf
Steve Renouf
Stephen Renouf is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. Of Aboriginal and European descent, he was known as one of the sport's greatest centres. Renouf set numerous records for the Brisbane Broncos club and is considered one of the greatest...
and Kris Radlinski
Kris Radlinski
Kris Radlinski MBE is a former English rugby league and who played for his hometown club Wigan Warriors throughout his career and also represented Great Britain. He is of Polish descent.-Playing career:...
.
Dallas again missed the end of the 2002 Super League season with a knee injury requiring a full reconstruction operation in Australia. Whilst he was at home with his family he took the opportunity to get married.
He returned to the club in 2003 but again succumbed to a hamstring injury, and was linked with Australian club Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
. However, Dallas was determined to win back his place in the Wigan side and declined the deal. His decision was fully justified, as he returned to form in the latter half of the season, helping Wigan to reach the 2003 Grand Final, in the process earning a new contract. Dallas' good form continued into 2004, earning himself a new two-year contract which makes him one of the club's longest serving overseas players.
Representative career
Dallas made 10 appearances for QueenslandQueensland State of Origin Team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
in State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
(1993–1997). He made his international debut for Australia against New Zealand in 1995, scoring two tries. In total he made six Test appearances, including four matches in the World Cup
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
(which Australia won) and has scored nine tries. His most recent Test appearance was in 1997.
Retirement
Dallas played his final game in Wigan colours on the 15 September 2006 against Hull F.C.Hull after 14 years in rugby league which included a Rugby League Challenge CupChallenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
win with the Wigan Warriors in 2002. Dallas wanted to score a try in his final game for Wigan but was unable to do, so instead took the final conversion kick at goal. His kick, however, just missed. At the end of the game, his final act in Wigan colours was to leave his boots in the centre of the field as he was applauded by Wigan spectators all over the stadium. It was regarded as a fitting tribute to the supporters of Dallas over the years and an emotional final night of action from the flying Aussie winger. There were rumours that Dallas would return to Australia to play in the NRL but, in a speech to the Wigan fans after his final game, he said that he has no plans for the near future apart from enjoying his retirement.