Paul Hauff
Encyclopedia
Paul Hauff is an Australian former rugby league
footballer of the 1990s. A Queensland state of Origin and Australian international representative fullback, he played his whole top-level career in Australia for the Brisbane Broncos, later moving to their sister club in England, the London Broncos.
Hauff, a gangly fullback was graded with the Brisbane Broncos
in 1990
, being named along with Willie Carne
as the club's joint rookie of the year. He made his State of Origin
debut for Queensland the following year. Tall (197 cm) with a giant stride, Hauff's deceptive pace earned him selection for Australia
in the First Test against New Zealand
at Olympic Park
in Melbourne
. Australia was beaten by the Kiwis, 24-8, and Hauff was one of several players sacked for the remainder of the series. A total shoulder reconstruction after suffering an injury in the match against St George at the Adelaide Oval
saw him miss out on the Broncos' premiership success in 1992
. A 'confidence' player, he battled injuries to regain his first grade place but was not able to re-scale the heights of the 1991
season. Hauff joined the London Broncos at the end of 1996.
Paul's life after football started with the Queensland Police. He now works as a consultant for the fire department. In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in 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. A Queensland state of Origin and Australian international representative fullback, he played his whole top-level career in Australia for the Brisbane Broncos, later moving to their sister club in England, the London Broncos.
Hauff, a gangly fullback was graded with the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
in 1990
New South Wales Rugby League season 1990
The 1990 New South Wales Rugby League season was the eighty-third season of professional rugby league football in Australia. Sixteen clubs competed for the J J Giltinan Shield and Winfield Cup during the premiership season, which culminated in a grand final between the previous season's premiers,...
, being named along with Willie Carne
Willie Carne
William Carne is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played for the Brisbane Broncos from 1990 to 1996, as well as representing both Queensland and Australia...
as the club's joint rookie of the year. He made his 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...
debut for Queensland the following year. Tall (197 cm) with a giant stride, Hauff's deceptive pace earned him selection for Australia
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
in the First Test against New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
at Olympic Park
Olympic Park Stadium
Olympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. Australia was beaten by the Kiwis, 24-8, and Hauff was one of several players sacked for the remainder of the series. A total shoulder reconstruction after suffering an injury in the match against St George at the Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the Central Business District and North Adelaide...
saw him miss out on the Broncos' premiership success in 1992
New South Wales Rugby League season 1992
The 1992 New South Wales Rugby League Premiership season was the eighty-fifth season of professional rugby league football in Australia. Sixteen teams competed for the J J Giltinan Shield during the season which culminated in a grand final for the Winfield Cup between the Brisbane Broncos, making...
. A 'confidence' player, he battled injuries to regain his first grade place but was not able to re-scale the heights of the 1991
New South Wales Rugby League season 1991
The 1991 New South Wales Rugby League Premiership season was the eighty-fourth season of professional rugby league football in Australia. This year the League experimented with a draft system for the first time....
season. Hauff joined the London Broncos at the end of 1996.
Paul's life after football started with the Queensland Police. He now works as a consultant for the fire department. In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
Australian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.