Daniel Heckenberg (born 27 October 1979) is a former Scotland international rugby league footballer. He played as a prop at club level in the NRL for the St. George Illawarra Dragons, Parramatta Eels and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, in the Super League for Harlequins RL, and in the RFL Championship for the Widnes Vikings.
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| Full name | Daniel Heckenberg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 27 October 1979 Camden, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 109 kg (17 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early career
editHeckenberg was born in Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
Heckenberg began his rugby career at St Gregory's College, Campbelltown, a school renowned for producing young rugby league footballers. He first played internationally as part of the Australian Schoolboys team in a match against the BARLA Young Lions. After his graduation he played for a short while as an amateur for the Eagle Vale-St Andrews junior side.[3]
NRL
editHe began his professional career at National Rugby League side St. George Illawarra Dragons, progressing through the youth team and earning his first grade début in 2000. In the same year, Heckenberg made his first appearance as a Scotland international, participating in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He moved club in 2002, joining the Parramatta Eels, before changing team again in 2004, this time playing with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He provided much defensive support for the Sea Eagles and was held in high esteem by his peers at the club.[3]
Harlequins Rugby League
editHis performances led to a transfer to Super League side Harlequins, and he soon became an important part of the team's defensive game. Heckenberg confirmed his first grade place in the beginning of his second year at the club but suffered a severe shoulder injury in a match against Bradford Bulls in May, bringing his 2007 Super League XII campaign to an end.[3][4] Harlequins coach Brian McDermott described Heckenberg as a hard worker and an integral part of the team.[5] Heckenberg underwent surgery in June to correct the problem but when he returned from injury for 2008's Super League XIII he again suffered a setback. He dislocated his shoulder in training in March 2008, resulting in a six-week absence from the team.[6]
Representative
editHeckenberg was named in the Scotland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.[7][8][9]
Personal
editIn his spare time, Heckenberg enjoys listening to the music of the Foo Fighters and U2, and also helps to train youth rugby league players at Elmbridge Rugby League Club.[3]
Statistics
edit| League | Team | Season | Appearances | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Rugby League | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 2000–01 | 4 | 0 |
| National Rugby League | Parramatta Eels | 2002–03 | 40 | 1 |
| National Rugby League | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | 2004–05 | 34 | 2 |
| Super League | Harlequins RL | 2006 | 25 | 1 |
| Super League | Harlequins RL | 2007 | 14 | 2 |
- All information taken from Harlequins RL 2008 Club Guide.[3]
References
edit- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ a b c d e "Harlequins RL Official Club Guide 2008 - Player Profiles" (PDF). Harlequins RL. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ Walker, Gareth (28 May 2007). "Quins fall for Vainikolo's trick". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Heckenberg out with shoulder injury". Harlequins RL. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ^ "Fresh injury blow for Harlequins". BBC Sport. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Henderson trio in Scots cup squad". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
- ^ "Teams - Scotland". 2008 Rugby League World Cup Official site. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Heckenberg out of the World Cup". Quins. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.[permanent dead link]