Daniel Heckenberg

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.

Dan Heckenberg
Personal information
Full nameDaniel Heckenberg
Born (1979-10-27) 27 October 1979
Camden, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000–01 St. George Illawarra 4 0 0 0 0
2002–03 Parramatta Eels 40 1 0 0 4
2004–05 Manly Sea Eagles 34 2 0 0 8
2006–09 Harlequins RL 67 4 0 0 16
2010–11 Widnes Vikings 17 0 0 0 0
Total 162 7 0 0 28
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2000 Scotland 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Early career

Heckenberg 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

He 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

His 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

Heckenberg 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

In 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
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
  1. loverugbyleague
  2. Rugby League Project
  3. "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.
  4. Walker, Gareth (28 May 2007). "Quins fall for Vainikolo's trick". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  5. "Heckenberg out with shoulder injury". Harlequins RL. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  6. "Fresh injury blow for Harlequins". BBC Sport. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  7. "Henderson trio in Scots cup squad". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
  8. "Teams - Scotland". 2008 Rugby League World Cup Official site. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  9. "Heckenberg out of the World Cup". Quins. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2008.
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