Robbie O'Davis
Robbie O'Davis | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1972 Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Professional rugby league player (retired) |
| Years active | 1990s–2004 |
| Known for | Playing for Newcastle Knights, representing Australia and Queensland in rugby league |
Robbie O'Davis (born 3 September 1972) is a retired Australian professional rugby league player who competed during the 1990s and early 2000s. Representing both Australia at the international level and Queensland in State of Origin matches, he primarily played as a fullback and occasionally as a winger. O'Davis devoted his entire club career to the Newcastle Knights, securing Premiership titles in 1997 and 2001.
Background
Born in Sydney, Australia, O'Davis was raised in Toowoomba, Queensland. He attended Centenary Heights State High School and played junior rugby league for the Newtown Lions.
Playing career
At just 16 years old, O'Davis competed in senior rugby league alongside his father. After participating in the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership with the Eastern Suburbs, he transitioned to the New South Wales Rugby League Premiership by joining the Newcastle Knights.
During the 1995 Super League war, when the Australian Rugby League excluded players aligned with Super League, O'Davis made his Queensland debut in their surprising clean sweep of New South Wales in the 3-0 series. He then earned his first cap for Australia in the opening test of the 1995 Trans-Tasman Test series against New Zealand at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Although absent for the second test, he returned for the final match, where he scored his maiden test try contributing to Australia's 46–10 victory that secured a 3–0 series outcome.
O'Davis was selected for Australia's squad at the World Cup, playing in three matches and registering five tries. Coming off the bench during the semi-final triumph over New Zealand, he was named in the lineup for the Final at London's Wembley Stadium, but did not take part on field as Australia defeated England 16–8.
In the 1997 ARL season Grand Final, O'Davis received the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match while guiding Newcastle to victory against defending champions Manly-Warringah. However, in 1998, both he and teammate Wayne Richards tested positive for Anabolic steroids, resulting in maximum suspensions of 22 matches each; fellow teammate Adam MacDougall was handed an 11-week ban.
He played at fullback during Newcastle’s triumph over the Parramatta Eels in the 2001 NRL Grand Final. Following this achievement, Newcastle faced Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls, in the 2002 World Club Challenge, with O'Davis starting at fullback in a losing effort. He retired from professional rugby league after concluding the 2004 NRL season.