Shaun Berrigan
Personal information
Born	November 4, 1978 (1978-11-04) (age 31)
	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	87 kg (13 st 10 lb)
Playing information
Position	Hooker, Five-eighth, Halfback, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1999–07	Brisbane Broncos	185	77	0	0	308
2008–	Hull FC	29	9	0	0	36
	Total	214	86	0	0	344
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2002–07	Queensland	13	2	0	0	8
2004–07	Australia	13	2	1	0	10
As of 10 August 2008
Source: NRL Stats

Shaun Berrigan (born 4 November, 1978 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull FC of Super League. He is formerly of the NRL's Brisbane Broncos where he played with older brother, Barry Berrigan. A very versatile footballer, he has played numerous games at hooker, Five-Eighth, halfback and centre, having played in all positions for Australia, Queensland and Brisbane. In Australia, Berrigan was a regular representative player, appearing twelve times in State of Origin for the Queensland Maroons and five test matches for Australia. He usually plays from the bench for most of these games because of his wide skills at numerous positions, however he has also played on the starting side.

[edit] Brisbane Broncos

Berrigan, through his mother, is of German descent^[1][2] He made his debut for the Brisbane Broncos in Round 11, 1999 against the Balmain Tigers. He played from the interchange bench in the Broncos' 2000 Grand Final-winning side. Berrigan's regular position was centre but he can play a number of back-line positions as well as hooker.

Berrigan's versatility is evident in analysing the Queensland State of Origin team where in 2002 Berrigan was the five-eighth for the entire series. The next series in 2003 he played at halfback for Queensland throughout the series

In 2004 Berrigan won the Broncos' best back award. He played in the centres for the State of Origin series. He was then the top try-scorer for the Broncos in the 2005 season scoring 19 tries.

Berrigan played his 150th first grade game for the club in 2006. He started the year in the centre position but injuries to the Broncos' full-time hookers, Michael Ennis and Barry Berrigan, made coach Wayne Bennett move Shaun to hooker. This turned out to be a success, with former great Peter Sterling saying that it brings a new dimension to the Broncos' game not seen for a while. He was selected in the 2006 Tri-Nations side for Australia and played in the final which Australia won.

In the 2006 and 2007 Origin series Berrigan has been the utility back for Queensland on the bench, playing the majority of these games as Hooker when Cameron Smith was off the field.

At hooker, Berrigan played so well in the Broncos' grand final win that he won the Clive Churchill Medal. In the grand final, Berrigan was superb from dummy-half, but also shut down Melbourne Storm super-star Greg Inglis for the entire match.

[edit] Hull FC

Shaun Berrigan's Brisbane contract ended at the end of the 2007 season^[3]. He signed a 4 year deal with English Super League team and 2006 Grand Final runners up, Hull FC^[4]. His contract commenced with the start of the 2008 season when he replaced Richard Swain, who was due to retire from the game at the end of the 2007, thus freeing up a free quota space. ^[5]

In regards to the signing, Berrigan said "I have had a fantastic career at the Broncos, winning premierships, playing for Queensland and of course for Australia. I am really excited to be joining Hull FC and playing in the Super League and Challenge Cup. I am excited by their plans, I believe the club has a fantastic future and I am looking forward to being a part of it for the next 4 years" ^[6][7]

Shaun Berrigan in action for Hull FC in 2008

Shaun Berrigan scored his first try for new club Hull FC in Round 2 of Super League XIII. On the 30th August Shaun Berrigan will appear for Hull FC at Wembley in the 2008 Challenge Cup Final.

Berrigan continued to play at hooker.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Shaun Berrigan at the State of Origin official website.
• Shaun Berrigan at the Former Origin Greats website.