Richard Whiting (rugby league)

Richard Whiting (born 20 December 1984), also known by the nickname "Superman",[5] is an English former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Championship. Able to play in a variety of positions, he was considered a utility player.[3]

Richard Whiting
Personal information
Born (1984-12-20) 20 December 1984
Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1]
Weight15 st 10 lb (100 kg)[1]
PositionSecond-row, Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003 Featherstone Rovers 18 2 6 0 20
2004–16 Hull F.C. 258 76 30 2 366
2014(DR) → Doncaster 3 2 0 0 4
2016 Leigh Centurions 15 2 0 0 8
2017–18 Toronto Wolfpack 45 18 0 0 72
Total 339 100 36 2 470
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004–06 England 3 1 0 0 4
Source: [2][3][4]

Previously playing in the Championship for the Featherstone Rovers and the Leigh Centurions, he spent most of his professional career in the Super League with Hull FC, with whom he won the 2005 Challenge Cup, and was named Super League's Young Player of the Year in 2005.

Early life

Whiting was born in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England, and he was a promising association football player as a youngster and was signed to a scholarship with Barnsley as a 16-year-old before deciding to pursue a career in rugby league.[5]

Playing career

Featherstone Rovers

Whiting began his career with Featherstone Rovers in National League One, being named the league's Young Player of the Year in 2003, before moving to Super League club Hull.

Hull
Whiting playing for Hull FC

Whiting joined Hull in November 2003 for an undisclosed fee.[6] In 2005 he made 24 appearances during the season and also won the league's Young Player of the Year. Whiting played for Hull at centre in the 2005 Challenge Cup final, scoring a try in the victory over Leeds. Hull reached the 2006 Super League Grand final against St. Helens, and Whiting played from the substitutes' bench in his side's 4-26 loss.[7]

Whiting also represented England in three matches between 2004 and 2006.[4]

Whiting continued to be a regular in the Hull FC team, filling in a multitude of roles and positions and earning a reputation as one of the most reliable players in the league.[8] In 2014, he was awarded a testimonial to mark 10 years with the club.[5]

Leigh

In 2016, Richard moved to Leigh on a 2-month loan after falling down the pecking order. He made his début for Leigh in the 24-20 win over London Broncos. In April 2016 Whiting signed for Leigh on a permanent basis, ending his 12-year stint at Hull.[9]

Toronto

Whiting joined the Toronto Wolfpack ahead of their inaugural season.

References
  1. "Hull 1st Team Richard Whiting". Hull FC. Hull FC. 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  2. "Player Summary: Richard Whiting". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  3. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. Hull FC's gentle giant Richard Whiting on ten grand years as a reluctant Superman
  6. "Senior says Wing must be feared". The Independent. 6 November 2003. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  7. "St Helens 26-4 Hull FC". BBC News. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  8. Hull FC coach praises 'Mr Reliable' Richard Whiting
  9. "Hull FC's Richard Whiting signs permanent deal at Leigh". Yorkshire Evening Post. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
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