GetWiki

{{short description|Ireland international rugby league footballer}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}

factoids

|birth_place = Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia192ftin|abbr=on}}99stlbWORK= WEB PAGEACCESS-DATE= 16 AUGUST 2011ARCHIVE-URL= HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20111209105558/HTTP://WWW.WIGANWARRIORS.COM/WPLAYERP.ASPX?ID=5, 9 December 2011, WGCE}}|club1 = Parramatta Eels|year1start = 2000|year1end = 03|appearances1 = 37|tries1 = 14|goals1 = 4 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 64|club2 = Wests Tigers|year2start = 2004|year2end = 05|appearances2 = 39|tries2 = 26 |goals2 = 0 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 104|club3 = Wigan Warriors|year3start = 2006|year3end = 13|appearances3 = 244|tries3 = 167|goals3 = 898|fieldgoals3 = 4 |points3 = 2468|club4 = Wests Tigers|year4start = 2014|year4end = 15|appearances4 = 43|tries4 = 26|goals4 = 118|fieldgoals4 = 2|points4 = 342Catalans Dragons}}|year5start = 2016|year5end = |appearances5 = 21|tries5 = 9|goals5 = 76|fieldgoals5 = 0|points5 = 188|teamA = club 6 =west tigersYear 6 start. =2020team|Ireland|yearAstart = 2008|yearAend = 13|appearancesA = 7|triesA = 3 |goalsA = 11 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 34Exiles rugby league team>Exiles|yearBstart = 2011|yearBend = 13 |appearancesB = 2|triesB = 0 |goalsB = 3 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 6|updated = 17 July 2016WEBSITE=LOVERUGBYLEAGUE.COMWEBSITE=RUGBYLEAGUEPROJECT.ORGNRL Stats{{dead link>date=January 2018 fix-attempted=yes }}|retired = yes}}Pat Richards (born 27 February 1982) is a former professional rugby league footballer. An Ireland international {{rlp|wg}}er, he played in the National Rugby League for Sydney clubs the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers, with whom he won the 2005 NRL Premiership, and the Wigan Warriors and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League, winning the 2010 and 2013 Super League Grand Finals with the former. While in Super League, Richards won the Man of Steel award in 2010 and is the highest overseas points-scorer in the competition's history.

Early life

Born in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia to Irish parents.WEB,weblink Young cubs excite veteran Richards, Paul Crawley, Dailytelegraph.com.au, 6 November 2013, 17 November 2021, Richards attended St Therese Primary School and Westfields Sports High School. He played junior rugby league for the Cabramatta club. Richards was an accomplished cricketer before deciding to take up rugby league on a full time basis.WEB,weblink Sadness at Test star's tragic death - Wigan Today, www.wigantoday.net, 22 May 2022,weblink 22 May 2018, dead,

Club career

Parramatta Eels (2000–2003)

Richards played for Parramatta Eels between 2000 and 2003. In 2001 he was unable to play in the grand final due to a broken leg.NEWS, Walter, Brad, Richards gets maximum gain from all the pain,weblink 25 September 2011, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 2005, After the 2003 season Richards moved to Wests Tigers after being told by Parramatta coach Brian Smith that he was unwanted for the next season and that he should focus on his cricketing career and forget Rugby League altogether.WEB,weblink Wigan Warrior Pat Richards gave up cricket chance for Australia, Trevor, Baxter, 8 July 2009, Mirror.co.uk, 17 November 2021, WEB,weblink Pat Richards stars as Wests Tigers swamp Parramatta Eels with late flourish, Brad, Walter, 6 April 2015, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 November 2021,

Wests Tigers (2004–2005)

Richards enjoyed a successful 2005 season with the Tigers. He scored a club record 20 tries during the season, since surpassed by Taniela Tuiaki. Richards' drop kicks/outs and towering kick-offs were instrumental in gaining valuable field position for the team during their premiership year.Despite suffering an ankle ligament injury the week prior, Richards was cleared to play in the 2005 NRL Grand Final against North Queensland Cowboys.NEWS, The Age, Richards cleared to play in NRL final,weblink 18 January 2009, 1 October 2005, Melbourne, Richards' try from a Benji Marshall flick pass was a highlight of the Wests Tigers' win.NEWS, Roy Masters, The Sydney Morning Herald, Princes of turf feed on roar emotion,weblink 18 January 2009, 3 October 2005, Richards later said of the painkillers required to play, "The doctor pretty much injected all over the ankle. It probably would have been about five or six and a couple in the knee. As I was running I couldn't feel anything. It was like running on memory because I couldn't feel my foot hit the ground."NEWS, The Sydney Morning Herald, Too many needles to remember: The last Tiger to break pain barrier, Adam Pengilly,weblink In the moments after the premiership victory, Channel 9 sideline commentator Matthew Johns interviewed Richards live on national television and asked him to describe the feeling of winning a premiership. Richards replied "Mate there was no way in the world I was going to miss this game, and I f***ing, oh sorry, it's the best feeling ever". In the coming days, the Wests Tigers club were forced to make an apology for the inappropriate language used by some of their players.NEWS,weblink Matty Johns relives the infamous aftermath of the 2005 Grand Final, News.com.au, 15 September 2016, Matthey, James, WEB,weblink Tigers apologise for bad language, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 October 2005,

Wigan (2006–2013)

2006-2009

(File:Pat Richards.jpg|thumb|right|Richards playing for Wigan in 2008)Richards signed a two-year contract with Wigan for the 2006 and 2007 seasons in June 2005. Speaking from Sydney on the day of his signing for Wigan, Pat Richards said, "I had three enquiries from leading Super League clubs but I feel sure that Wigan is the club for me. They are strengthening well for next year and Ian Millward is a very successful coach. I am looking forward to joining the club." Head Coach Ian Millward also commented, "Pat is the ideal player for the modern game. He is over 6 feet tall, fields high balls very well and has a special and powerful kicking game. In keeping with the modern game he gives us cover for several positions. He also has an Irish background and he may bring a bit of the Irish luck with him."NEWS, Wigan capture Pat Richards - AAP Sports News (Australia) 3 June 2005, Because of his Irish EU passport he did not count in Wigan's overseas quota.snare Tigers' Richards ABC, 3 June 2005He started his Wigan career playing in the {{rlp|ce}} rather than his usually position of {{rlp|wg}}. He scored 12 tries and kicked 12 goals in 25 appearances during the 2006 season but there was some criticism of Wigan coach Ian Millward for playing him out of position as it was clear that Richards was not suited to playing at centre. After Ian Millward was sacked, incoming coach Brian Noble immediately moved him to the wing, where he scored a brace of tries in a thrashing of Huddersfield Giants. Richards never played centre again . At the start of 2007 he was given the squad number 5 and was also promoted to first goal kicker after the other goal kickers, Michael Dobson, Danny Orr and Wayne Godwin left Wigan at the end of 2006. Despite not previously being a regular goal kicker, Pat quickly developed the skills. After 27 appearances in 2007 he scored 14 tries, kicked 103 goals and was Man-of-the-Match 4 times. Mid-way through the season, Richards was moved to full back after Michael Withers' retirement.On 21 September 2007 he kicked the vital drop goal to give Wigan a 31–30 win over Bradford Bulls. It completed the biggest comeback in Super League history at that point (and still stands as the biggest comeback in playoff history).WEB, Wigan keep title hopes alive, 29 September 2007,weblink metro.co.uk, In 2008, Richards was the Wigan Player of the Season scoring 19 tries and getting a total of 375 points in one season meaning he was the top points scorer in Super League that year as he was the previous year. He also signed a new 3-year deal with Wigan mid-2008 stating he and his family were settled at the club and loved the town.Richards made himself available for Ireland's 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110719014235weblink">weblink dead, 19 July 2011, Kelly reveals interest, teletext.co.uk, 1 May 2008, 1 May 2008, Collins, Ben: "Kelly eyes Cup stir by Irish", pages 18-19. Rugby League World, April 2008WEB,weblink White Eyes a Green Jersey, RLWC08.com, 21 July 2008, 30 July 2008, {{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}In August 2008, Richards was named in the Ireland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,WEB,weblink Ireland Name World Cup 40 Man Training Squad, Rugby League Ireland, 1 August 2008, 2 August 2008, 11 April 2020,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20200411004717weblink">weblink dead, and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man Ireland squad.NEWS,weblink Cassidy included in Ireland squad, BBC, 7 October 2008, 7 October 2008, He featured prominently in the tournament; in Ireland's win over Samoa on 5 November, Richards scored 22 of the team's 34 points, including three tries.NEWS, Dave Hadfield, ABC News, Richards earns Irish an upgrade,weblinkweblink 25 May 2022, subscription, live, 10 November 2008, 6 November 2008, London, Richards continued to be a stand out performer for Wigan in 2009 and was again selected to play for Ireland in the 2009 European Cup.NEWS, UKPA, Ireland name Euro Cup squad,weblink 17 October 2009, 8 October 2009,

2010-2013

Richards' try-scoring exploits and accuracy with the boot proved vital for Wigan's push for honours in 2010. He often had to occupy the full back position in the absence of the injured Cameron Phelps and Amos Roberts before Sam Tomkins' move to full back allowed Richards to reclaim his favoured wing position.Pat Richards was the first Australian player to score 1,000 points or more for the Wigan club. On 27 February 2010 Richards scored 5 tries and kicked 9 goals against Catalans Dragons in a 58–0 victory for Wigan. His 38 points was the most in one match for a Wigan player in the Super League era.NEWS,weblink BBC News, Wigan 58-0 Catalans Dragons, 26 February 2010, 21 May 2010, On 3 September 2010, in a game against Bradford Bulls Richards equalled the record for the most points in a regular Super League season. Scoring 14 on the night he matched Andrew Farrell's impressive 388 points. Later in September it was announced that Richards was one of three players nominated for the prestigious Man-of-Steel award.Pat won the Man-of-Steel award on Monday, 27 September 2010, beating Adrian Morley, and teammate Sam Tomkins to the accolade.NEWS,weblink BBC News, Trio nominated for Man of Steel, 16 September 2010, He was also the joint Albert Goldthorpe Medal winner with teammate Sam Tomkins as the Super League player of the 2010 season.WEB, The Albert Goldthorpe Awards,weblink totalrl.com, League Publications, 16 February 2014, 26 March 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140326074057weblink">weblink dead, The total of 462 points that Richards scored over the entire 2010 season (including playoffs and/or Challenge Cup) set a new club record at Wigan."RECORDS" {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128221032weblink |date=28 November 2010 }} at wiganwarriors.comHe played in the 2010 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford.NEWS, Wilson, Andy, Wigan turn St Helens into sinners with Super League Grand Final win,weblink 21 November 2019, The Guardian, 2 October 2010, (File:Pat Richards 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Richards playing for the Wigan Warriors)Richards' 2011 season was delayed after the Achilles tendon injury picked up during the 2010 Grand Final kept him out for five to six months.NEWS, Wigan's Pat Richards out with Achilles tendon tear,weblink 8 May 2011, BBC, 3 October 2010, His first appearance in 2011's Super League came in Round 9 against Catalans Dragons, where he took over the kicking duties and landed four goals.NEWS,weblink Wigan 28 Catalan Dragons 47, Manchester Evening, News, 8 April 2011, Manchester Evening News, 17 November 2021, Three tries over the Easter period, including a brace against St Helens gave him his first tries of the campaign, and this was followed up at Crusaders RL with another touchdown, as well as seven goals.NEWS, Walker, Gareth, Wigan leave it late as Liam Farrell try breaks St Helens' hearts,weblink 8 May 2011, The Guardian, 22 April 2011, NEWS, Crusaders 16-48 Wigan Warriors,weblink 8 May 2011, BBC, 1 May 2011, Pat Richards was selected for the Exiles squad for the inaugural International Origin Match against England at Headingley on 10 June 2011.NEWS,weblink Warrington dominate Exiles picks for Origin fixture, BBC, 2011-05-04, 2011-05-04, Richards played on the wing in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium, kicking 4 goals from 5 attempts in his side's win.NEWS, Scott, Ged, Leeds 18-28 Wigan,weblink 21 November 2019, BBC Sport, 27 August 2011, NEWS,weblink London, The Guardian, Andy, Wilson, Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup final match report, 27 August 2011, On 26 April 2013 he signed for Wests Tigers in the NRL, on a two-year deal from 2014.WEB,weblink Wests Tigers sign Pat Richards - Tigers, 2013-04-26, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130430021401weblink">weblink 30 April 2013, > He was 32 by the time the season started. Richards said, ""I loved my time over there (with Wigan) but it got to a stage where if I didn't come back I probably never would come back.".NEWS, Fox Sports, Eels v Tigers: Stunning 10-minute burst from Pat Richards seals stirring comeback for Tigers, Dean Ritchie,weblink 3 July 2015, 6 April 2015, He played in the 2013 Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.WEB,weblink Hull FC 0-16 Wigan Warriors, 24 August 2013, BBC Sport, 13 November 2019, WEB,weblink Wigan Warriors overcome Hull FC and elements to win Challenge Cup, 24 August 2013, The Guardian, 13 November 2019, WEB,weblink Wigan Warriors grind out victory over Hull, 24 August 2013, Sky Sports, 13 November 2019, He played in the 2013 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.WEB, Super League Grand Final,weblink Super League, 14 July 2013, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130729050226weblink">weblink 29 July 2013, NEWS, Newsum, Matt, Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors beat Warrington,weblink 13 November 2019, BBC Sport, 5 October 2013, WEB, Super League Grand Final: Warrington v Wigan,weblink BBC Sport, 13 November 2019, WEB,weblink Warrington Wolves 16 Wigan Warriors 30, 5 October 2013, The Daily Telegraph, 13 November 2019, WEB,weblink Wigan see off Warrington in X-rated Grand Final to complete double, 5 October 2013, The Guardian, 13 November 2019, Richards ended his time at Wigan as their third all-time points scorer (2468), third all time goal scorer (898), top Super League try scorer (146), second top Super League point (2104) and goal (758) scorer behind Andy Farrell, as well as two Grand Final wins, two Challenge Cup wins, and a League Leaders Shield to his name as well as the aforementioned Man of Steel win in 2010.

Wests Tigers (2014–2015)

Scoring a try with his first touch of the ball, Richards contributed 12 points in his return to the Wests Tigers.NEWS, Brad Walter, The Sydney Morning Herald, Gareth Widdop stars as Dragons outlast Tigers,weblink 20 March 2014, 9 March 2014, In his second game, he scored two tries and kicked seven goals, and kicked a 72-metre drop-out that some thought might be a "world record".NEWS, Brad Walter, Triple M, World Record Dropout?,weblink 20 March 2014, 17 March 2014, Early in the season, Richards was the competition's leading point-scorer, and was considered a possibility for State of Origin by New South Wales coach Laurie Daley.NEWS, The Sydney Morning Herald, Fairfax, Pat Richards waiting in the wings for Blues, Adrian, Proszenko,weblink 14 September 2014, 15 April 2014, He finished the year as the club's leading try-scorer and point-scorer.WEB, nrl.com, Wests Tigers Player List,weblink 14 September 2014, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140914125526weblink">weblink 14 September 2014, In round 5 of the 2015 season, Richards scored a try and set up two others in his 100th NRL game. Fox sports said, "The try Richards set up for fullback James Tedesco was extraordinary. He flew down the sideline, tiptoeing to stay in the field of play by just millimetres. When finally collared by the defence, Richards managed a rushed chip-kick off-balance – and with his non-preferred left foot – which Tedesco caught to score a bizarre try." He was the first NRL winger to set up two tries with kicks since Hazem El Masri achieved the same feat in 2005.WEB, weststigers.com.au, Game Notes: NRL Round 5 vs. Eels, 21 August 2015, 7 April 2015, Dan Talintyre,weblink In the round 8 match against the Bulldogs, Richards kicked a penalty goal from close to the sideline and 54 metres from the tryline. Richards said, "I'm pretty sure that's the first one over 50. I've done one or two from 50 out before. I always knew I had the legs to get it over. It was just a matter of accuracy."WEB, nrl.com, Bulldogs v Wests Tigers: Five key points, Matt Encarnacion,weblink 3 July 2015, 25 April 2015, In the first eight rounds of 2015, Richards scored 8 tries, 22 goals and 1 field-goal, to be the competition's leading point-scorer and equal third-highest try-scorer.WEB, The Score, NRL Player stats,weblink 9 May 2015, 9 May 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150508220825weblink">weblink 8 May 2015, In Round 22 of the 2015 NRL season, Richards became the first Australian player in the modern era to kick 1000 goals. He finished the regular season as the competition's third highest scorer of pointsWEB, nrl.com, Points,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150907083226weblink">weblink 7 September 2015,weblink 7 September 2015, and tries,WEB, nrl.com, Tries,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150907091050weblink">weblink 7 September 2015,weblink 7 September 2015, and fourth best in line breaks.WEB, nrl.com, Line Breaks,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150907091838weblink">weblink 7 September 2015,weblink 7 September 2015,

Catalans Dragons (2016)

Richards joined Catalans Dragons for the 2016 Super League season, appearing 21 times and scoring 188 points for the club before announcing his retirement from the sport at the end of the 2016 season.WEB, superleague, Richards to join Catalans,weblink 9 July 2015, 8 July 2015, (File:Pat Richards Ireland.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Richards playing for Ireland at the 2008 RLWC)

International career

Richards was born in Australia, but qualifies for Ireland due to his Irish parentage.NEWS,weblink Ireland line up Richards for World Cup duty, The Guardian, 15 March 2008, 21 December 2023, He featured for Ireland in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups and in the 2009 European Cup.

Honours

Parramatta Eels

• NRL Major Premiership:
  • Runner-up: 2001
• NRL Minor Premiership:
  • Winners: 2001

Wests Tigers

• NRL Major Premiership:
  • Winners: 2005

Wigan Warriors

• Super League
  • Winners (2): 2010, 2013

• League Leaders' Shield
  • Winners (2): 2010, 2012
  • Runner-up (1): 2011

• Challenge Cup
  • Winners (2): 2011, 2013

• World Club Challenge
  • Runner-up (1): 2011

Individual

• Man of Steel:
  • Winners (1): 2010
• Super League Dream Team
  • Winners (1): 2010
• RLWBA Player of the Year:
  • Winners (1): 2010,
• Wigan Warriors Player of the Year
  • Winners (2): 2008, 2010

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{commons category}}

• Catalans Dragons profile
• (archived by web.archive.org) weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070927212741weblink">Wigan Warriors profile
• Pat Richards Wigan Career Page on the Wigan RL Fansite.
• weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160113141327weblink">Ireland profile

{{Wests Tigers squad 2004 Rugby League World Sevens winners}}{{Wests Tigers squad 2005 NRL premiership}}{{Wigan Warriors - 2010 Super League Grand Final winners}}{{Wigan Warriors - 2011 Challenge Cup Final winners}}{{Wigan Warriors - 2013 Challenge Cup Final winners}}{{Wigan Warriors - 2013 Super League Grand Final winners}}{{Ireland 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}{{Ireland 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad}}{{2010 Super League Dream Team}}{{Man of Steel Award}}