Herbie Farnworth

England international rugby league footballer

Herbie Farnworth
Personal information
Full nameHerbert Felix Farnworth
Born (1999-12-23) 23 December 1999 (age 24)
Burnley, Lancashire, England
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–23 Brisbane Broncos 79 34 14 0 164
2024– Dolphins 4 1 0 0 4
Total 83 35 14 0 168
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– England 4 3 0 0 12
Source: [1]
As of 6 April 2024

Herbert Felix Farnworth (born 23 December 1999) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL).

He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL and has represented England at international level.

Background

Farnworth was born in Blacko, Lancashire, England.[2] Farnworth was a talented association football player as a youth and was part of the Manchester United development system before turning to rugby league.[3]

While still a pupil at Ermysted's Grammar School and playing for Wigan St Patricks and Newton Storm, Farnworth was spotted by Brisbane Broncos scouts so he moved to Australia after leaving school.[4][3] He played fullback as a junior.

Career

Early career

Farnworth in 2017

In 2017, Farnworth played seventeen games and scored eight tries for the Brisbane Broncos Holden Cup.[citation needed] In 2018, with the Holden Cup ceasing, Farnworth graduated to the Queensland Cup with Norths Devils playing nine games, scoring four tries and kicking nine goals.[citation needed]

Brisbane Broncos

2019-2023

Farnworth made his debut in Round 16 of the 2019 NRL season for Brisbane against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.[5] Farnworth finished with two NRL games played while he played for Broncos feeder club, Norths Devils ending the season as the team's top scorer and third overall in the Intrust Super Cup competition scoring 204 points (20 tries, 62 goals).[6]

Farnworth played nineteen games and scored six tries for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished last on the table and claimed their first wooden spoon.[7] Farnworth was awarded Brisbane's Rookie of The Year award.[citation needed]

In Round 23 of the 2021 NRL season, Farnworth kicked four goals from four attempts, leading the Broncos to a 24-22 win over the New Zealand Warriors, ending their finals hopes. Farnworth won Brisbane's Allan Langer Award as their Best Back of The Year.[citation needed]

Farnworth playing for England in 2022

In round 2 of the 2022 NRL season, Farnworth scored two tries in a 16-10 victory over Canterbury at Stadium Australia.[8] In round 14, Farnworth scored two tries for Brisbane in a 24-18 victory over Canberra but was taken from the field in the second half with a suspected bicep injury.[9] On 15 October, Farnworth made his England debut against Samoa in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup scoring one try as England won the match 60-6.[10] On 12 November, Farnworth scored two tries for England in their 27-26 semi-final loss to Samoa at the Emirates Stadium.[11]

In round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Farnworth scored two tries for Brisbane when they defeated back to back premiers Penrith at BlueBet Stadium 13-12.[12] In the 2023 preliminary final, Farnworth scored two tries as Brisbane defeated the New Zealand Warriors 42-12 which saw the club qualify for their first grand final in eight years.[13] Farnworth played twenty-six games for Brisbane in the 2023 NRL season and scored fifteen tries. He also played in Brisbane's 24-26 loss to Penrith in the 2023 NRL Grand Final.[14]

Dolphins (2024-)

In February 2023, Farnworth signed a three-year contract to play for the Dolphins from the 2024 NRL season onwards.[15] During the first seven minutes of his debut game for the Dolphins, Farnworth scored a try against the Gold Coast Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium in week one of the 2024 NRL pre-season.[16]

Honours

Individual

  • Brisbane Broncos Rookie of The Year: 2020
  • Brisbane Broncos 'Allan Langer Award' Best Back: 2021

References

  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "Herbie's follows in the footsteps of his rugby heroes". Lancashire Telegraph. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Ex-Skipton student one of the most sought after young sports stars in Australia". Craven Herald. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Epic journey from the Red Devils to Red Hill". National Rugby League. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Round 16 NRL team announcements". NRL.com. 3 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Stats". Queensland Rugby League. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Brisbane get wooden spoon as North Queensland finish on a high". www.nrl.com. 24 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Herbie Farnworth stars as Brisbane outlast Canterbury 16-10 to remain unbeaten". www.msn.com.
  9. ^ "Kevvie labels gutsy win bravest in his time with club as Broncos face losing SIX stars". www.foxsports.com.au. 11 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: England 60-6 Samoa - Welsby, Young, Watkins, Farnworth score". BBC Sport.
  11. ^ Unwin, Will (12 November 2022). "England 26-27 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup semi-final – as it happened". The Guardian.
  12. ^ "Penrith Panthers begin NRL premiership defence with shock loss to Brisbane Broncos as Warriors trump Newcastle Knights". ABC News. 3 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Kev-olution complete: Broncos book GF as Wahs whacked by 'absolute freak'". www.foxsports.com.au. 23 September 2023.
  14. ^ Howcroft, Jonathan (October 2023). "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "Wayne's major coup as Dolphins sign Broncos star; Cowboys extend Payten: Transfer Centre". www.foxsports.com.au. 28 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Herbie's dream Dolphins start, cult hero's return as fresh Titans flyer emerges: What we learned". 18 February 2024.

External links

  • Dolphins profile
  • Brisbane Broncos profile
  • Norths Devils profile
  • England profile
  • v
  • t
  • e
Dolphins – current squad
  • v
  • t
  • e
England squad – 2021 Rugby League World Cup