Joshua Drinkwater(born 15 June 1992) is an Australian professionalrugby leaguefootballer who plays as ascrum-halforstand-offforRochdale Hornetsin theRFL League One.
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| Full name | Joshua Drinkwater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 15 June 1993 Sydney,New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 13 st 8 lb (86 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Scrum-half,Stand-off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 31 October 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Scott Drinkwater(brother) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He has previously played for theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsand theWests Tigersin theNRL.He has also played for theLondon Broncos,Leigh Centurions,Catalans DragonsandHull Kingston Roversin theSuper League.Drinkwater won the2018 Challenge CupwithCatalans.
Background
editDrinkwater was born inSydney, New South Wales,Australia, and is ofGermandescent.[4]He is thebrotherof fellowrugby leaguefootballer,Scott Drinkwaterwho plays for theNorth Queensland Cowboysin theNational Rugby League.
Drinkwater played his junior football for theTerrigal Sharks,where he partnered best friend Josh English in the halves, before being signed by theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles.[citation needed]
National Youth Competition
editFrom 2010 to 2012, Drinkwater played for theManly Warringah Sea Eagles'National Youth Competition(NYC) team.[5][6]
He wasManly'sNYCtop point-scorer in2012,with 137 points from 10 tries, 48 goals and 1 field goal.
On 4 September 2012, he signed a two-year contract with theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsstarting in 2013, where he was seen as a“possible saviour to a club reeling in the post-Wayne Bennettera.”[7][8]
St. George Illawarra Dragons (2013)
edit
In round 5 of the2013 NRL season,Drinkwater made hisNational Rugby Leaguedébut for theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsagainst theNewcastle Knights.[9]
He finished off his début year in theNRLhaving only played in four games.[10]
London Broncos
editIn February 2014, Drinkwater joined theLondon Broncoseffective immediately for the rest of the season in a straight swap forMichael Witt,after being released from the final year of hisSt. George Illawarracontract.[11]
He scored 136 points for theLondon Broncos,but the club managed just one victory for the entireSuper Leagueseason.[7]
Wests Tigers
edit
On 5 November 2014, he signed a two-year contract with theWests Tigers,commencing in 2015.[12]
Drinkwater was initially signed as a back-up for halvesMitchell MosesandLuke Brooks.Drinkwater commented on the situation saying,"I know I'm behind those boys,Jason Taylortold me straight away that"Mitch"and"Brooksy"were going to start the year in the first-grade team. I just want to come here, play good footy and if something happens andJason Taylorcalls my name, I've got to take my opportunity ".[7]
In round 17 of the2015 NRL season,Drinkwater made hisTigers' début against theParramatta Eels.[13]
Leigh Centurions
editOn 17 May 2016, he was released from his contract at theWests Tigersto take up an opportunity with theLeigh Centurionsin theChampionship.[14]
Drinkwater subsequently went onto help his new club gain promotion in 2016, back to the top-flight of Englishrugby league.Drinkwater left theLeigh Centurionsafter a two-year stay at the club, following relegation from theSuper Leaguevia theMillion Pound Gamein a loss to theCatalans Dragonsat the end of the 2017 season.[citation needed]
Western Suburbs Magpies
editDrinkwater joinedIntrust Super Premiership NSWside theWestern Suburbs Magpiesfor the 2018 season.[15][16]
Catalans Dragons
edit
On 24 April 2018, Drinkwater signed a one-year deal to join theCatalans Dragons.[17]
On 25 August 2018, Drinkwater was part of theDragons' historic2018 Challenge CupFinal triumph over theWarrington Wolves.[18]
Securing the clubs first-ever piece of silverware, Drinkwater who started the game athalfbackwent onto kick four goals (8 points), subsequently helping thePerpignanbased side secure a 20–14 victory.[citation needed]
Hull Kingston Rovers
editOn 23 December 2018, it was revealed that he had signed a one-year deal to play forHull Kingston Roversin theSuper League.[19]
On 9 January 2019, Drinkwater received the number 24 jersey ahead of the start of theSuper Leagueseason.[citation needed]
On 13 January 2019, Drinkwater made his non-competitiveHull Kingston Rovers' début in a pre-season friendly against theWidnes Vikings,Drinkwater claimed a 30–16 victory with his new club.[citation needed]
Drinkwater made his first competitive appearance forHull Kingston Roversin round 1 of the 2019Super Leagueseason, Drinkwater who added 6 points with the boot recorded a thrilling 18–16 victory over cross-city rivalsHull F.C.atCraven Park.[citation needed]
Drinkwater also subsequently picked up theSky Sports' 'Man of the Match Award.'[citation needed]
Drinkwater played his 100th career game on 10 March 2019, in a 6–10 victory overWakefield TrinityatBelle Vue.[citation needed]
On 4 April 2019, Drinkwater opened his try scoring account forHull Kingston Roversin a 45-26Super Leaguehome victory over theLeeds Rhinos.[citation needed]
Drinkwater scored a brace of tries on 31 May 2019, inHull Kingston Rovers' 22-28Challenge CupQuarter Final defeat by theWarrington Wolves.[citation needed]
Catalans Dragons (rejoin)
editOn 31 October 2019, it was announced that Drinkwater was re-joiningCatalans Dragons.[20]
On 9 October 2021, Drinkwater played for Catalans in their2021 Super League Grand Finaldefeat against St. Helens.[21]
Warrington Wolves
editOn 23 November 2022, Drinkwater signed a two-year deal to joinWarrington.[22] Drinkwater played 24 games for Warrington in the 2023 Super League season as Warrington finished sixth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. Drinkwater played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens.[23] On 8 June 2024, Drinkwater played in Warrington's2024 Challenge Cup finaldefeat against Wigan.[24] Drinkwater played 23 games for Warrington in the 2024 Super League season as the club reached the semi-final before losing to Hull Kingston Rovers.[25]
Oldham RLFC
editOn 31 Oct 2024 it was reported that he had signed forOldham RLFCin theRFL Championship[26]
Honours
editCareer Awards and Accolades
editClub (Catalans Dragons 2018)
editReferences
edit- ^loverugbyleague
- ^"Josh Drinkwater – Career Stats & Summary".Rugby League Project.Retrieved17 May2016.
- ^"London Broncos Rugby League | #ProudToBeBroncos | » News".Londonbroncosrl.com. 5 May 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2014.Retrieved17 May2016.
- ^"Garzaniti eager to fill Drinkwater's void".NSWRL. 2 May 2018.
- ^"D".Nyc Database. 27 December 2012.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^"Josh Drinkwater player results, scores, news and statistics".Rleague.com. Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2013.Retrieved16 May2013.
- ^abcBrady, Jack (12 February 2015)."Tigers halfback seeks NRL redemption".National Rugby League.Retrieved4 March2015.
- ^"Dragons Sign Promising Talents".Dragons.com.au. 4 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 27 November 2012.Retrieved16 May2013.
- ^"NRL 2013 – Round 5".Rugby League Project.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^"Custom Match List".Rugby League Project. 12 February 2015.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^Michael Carayannis (22 February 2014)."St George Illawarra Dragons pair snapped up by London Broncos".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^"Wests Tigers sign Josh Drinkwater | NRL".Zero Tackle.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^"Late Changes: NRL Round 17 vs. Eels – Tigers".Weststigers.com.au. 6 July 2015.Retrieved9 July2015.
- ^"Wests Tigers release Josh Drinkwater".Zero Tackle. 16 May 2016.Retrieved17 May2016.
- ^"Official Intrust Super Premiership profile of Josh Drinkwater for Western Suburbs Magpies – Wests Tigers".weststigers.com.au.Archived fromthe originalon 2 March 2018.
- ^"Josh Drinkwater set to join Wests Magpies".12 February 2018.
- ^"Catalans Dragons sign Josh Drinkwater after Luke Walsh's retirement".
- ^"Catalans Dragons beat Warrington in Challenge Cup final to make history".The Guardian.London. 25 August 2018.Retrieved5 November2019.
- ^"Josh Drinkwater deal is done as Hull KR get their man".23 December 2018.
- ^"Josh Drinkwater re-joins Catalans".Love Rugby League.31 October 2019.Retrieved18 January2021.
- ^"Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row".BBC Sport.
- ^"Josh Drinkwater: Warrington Wolves sign Catalans Dragons half-back".BBC Sport.
- ^"Highs and lows from Warrington Wolves' 2023 season".www.warringtonguardian.co.uk.
- ^"Wigan beat Warrington to win Challenge Cup".www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^"Warrington Wolves 2024 season review, February and March".www.warringtonguardian.co.uk.
- ^Matthew Shaw (31 October 2024)."Josh Drinkwater set for new club with Warrington Wolves halfback staying in UK".Yorkshire Live.
External links
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