Shaun Berrigan

Shaun Berrigan
Born	(1978-11-04) November 4, 1978 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Occupation	Rugby league footballer (retired)
Years active	1999–2013
Known for	Playing for Brisbane Broncos, Hull FC, New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders; representing Queensland and Australia

Shaun Berrigan (born 4 November 1978) is a retired Australian professional rugby league player who operated primarily as a and throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and into the 2010s.

He spent a significant portion of his career with the Brisbane Broncos, securing premiership titles in both the 2000 and 2006 NRL Grand Final. Later in his career, he joined the New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders within the National Rugby League. Berrigan also had a stint with Hull FC competing in the Super League. At the representative level, he was selected to play for Queensland in the prestigious State of Origin series and represented Australia on the international stage.

Background

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Berrigan has Italian and German heritage. His brother, Barry Berrigan, also pursued a professional rugby league career; both siblings played together for Dalby Diehards in the Toowoomba Rugby League during 2014.

Brisbane Broncos

Berrigan debuted in first grade for the Brisbane Broncos during Round 11 of the 1999 NRL season facing the Balmain Tigers, appearing in eleven matches that year. In 2000, he contributed off the interchange bench in Brisbane’s triumph over the Sydney Roosters in the 2000 NRL Grand Final. Following this victory, Brisbane competed against the 2000 Super League V champions, St Helens R.F.C., in the 2001 World Club Challenge, where Berrigan featured at five-eighth and scored a try despite the team’s defeat. Although primarily a , his adaptability allowed him to fill various roles across the backline and . Throughout his representative career with Queensland, he played five-eighth during the 2002 State of Origin series, shifted to halfback in 2003, and moved to centre in 2004. On the international front, he appeared at centre for Australia during the 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations, helping secure a commanding 44–4 victory over Great Britain in the final.

In 2005, Berrigan led Brisbane as their highest try-scorer with 19 tries. By 2006, he had surpassed 150 first-grade appearances for the club. That same year, due to injuries sidelining hookers Michael Ennis and his brother Barry, coach Wayne Bennett transitioned Berrigan into the hooker position—a strategic move praised by commentator Peter Sterling for reinvigorating Brisbane’s style of play. His impact as hooker was instrumental in Brisbane’s success during the 2006 NRL Grand Final, where they defeated Melbourne; Berrigan earned the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal as best on ground. He demonstrated strong skills both as dummy half and defensively, effectively neutralizing Melbourne’s Greg Inglis. Additionally, he was part of Australia’s victorious squad in the 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.

Throughout the 2006 and 2007 Origin series, Berrigan functioned as Queensland’s versatile backline player, frequently taking on hooker duties off the bench when Cameron Smith rested. As reigning NRL champions in 2006, Brisbane contested the subsequent year’s World Club Challenge against Super League champions St Helens R.F.C., with Berrigan starting at hooker in a tightly contested loss.

In 2007, Berrigan earned selection for Australia off the bench during their victorious ANZAC Test against New Zealand. That year also marked Brisbane Broncos’ 20th anniversary, during which Berrigan was honored among the club’s top 20 players up to that point. His tenure with Brisbane concluded following the end of the 2007 season.

Across his time with Brisbane, Berrigan accumulated twelve appearances representing Queensland in State of Origin matches and featured in five test matches for Australia.

Hull FC

Berrigan committed to a four-year contract with Hull FC, the English Super League team that finished as runners-up in the 2006 Grand Final. His agreement commenced with the 2008 season, taking over the position vacated by former Broncos teammate Richard Swain, who retired after the 2007 season, thereby freeing up an overseas player slot.

Upon signing with Hull, Berrigan expressed, "My time at the Broncos has been incredible, highlighted by premiership victories and representing Queensland and Australia. I am eager to join Hull and compete in both the Super League and Challenge Cup. The club’s future looks bright, and I am enthusiastic about contributing over the next four years."

He registered his inaugural try for Hull during Round 2 of the 2008 Super League XIII and featured at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 Challenge Cup Final. Throughout his stint at Hull, Berrigan predominantly operated in the hooker role.

New Zealand Warriors

In early 2011, following his father’s passing in 2010, Berrigan negotiated a release from Hull to be closer to family. After being linked with the North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans, he ultimately signed a one-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors for the 2011 season. During that NRL campaign, Berrigan contributed both off the bench and at centre but did not participate in their grand final defeat to Manly.

Canberra Raiders

On 19 October 2011, Berrigan secured a one-year deal with the Canberra Raiders for the 2012 season, which included an option for a contract extension.

He concluded his professional playing career following the 2013 NRL season.

Post playing

Following his retirement in 2013, Berrigan transitioned into a career within the mining sector. In 2023, he took part in a match representing the FOG side against the Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association.

NRL / Super League

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Pts
1999	Brisbane Broncos	12	4	16
2000		23	4	16
2001		18	8	32
2002		25	10	40
2003		24	10	40
2004		16	9	36
2005		24	19	76
2006		26	9	36
2007		18	4	16
2008	Hull FC	29	7	28
2009		22	4	16
2010		23	1	4
2011	New Zealand Warriors	19	6	24
2012	Canberra Raiders	23	2	8
2013		13	1	4
	Totals	315	98	392