Christopher M. "Chris" Joynt (born 7 December 1971, Wigan) is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative prop, second-row, and loose forward/lock, he played his club football with St. Helens, with whom he won numerous titles, as well as Oldham and a stint in Australia with the Newcastle Knights. He lifted many trophies throughout a glittering Knowsley Road career, including consecutive Super League championships in 1999 and 2000.
Playing career
1990s
Joynt began his career at Oldham before moving on to play for St Helens in 1992. Joynt also represented England at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.[1] He was selected to play for England in the 1995 World Cup final on the reserve bench but Australia won the match and retained the Cup.
County Cup final appearances
Chris Joynt played Left-second-row, i.e. number 11, in St. Helens 4-5 defeat by Wigan in the 1992 Lancashire Cup final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 18 October 1992.[2]
Regal Trophy final appearances
Chris Joynt played Left-second-row, i.e. number 11, in St. Helens' 16-25 defeat by Wigan in the 1995–96 Regal Trophy final during the 1995–96 at Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday 13 January 1996.[3]
Joynt played for St Helens at second-row forward in their 1996 Challenge Cup Final victory over Bradford Bulls.[4] He took over as captain of the club in 1997, and held the position until 2003. In the 1997 post season, Joynt was selected to play for Great Britain at second-row forward in all three matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.[5] Joynt played for St Helens RLFC at loose forward in their 1999 Super League Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls.
2000s
Having won the 1999 Championship, St Helens RLFC contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with Joynt playing at second-row forward in the loss. Joynt is probably best remembered as the scorer of the now legendary 'Wide to West' try in the Super League Final Eliminator in 2000, which won the match for Saints. He played at second row forward and scored two tries in the subsequent 2000 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors, and being awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy. Joynt went on to represent Ireland at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. As Super League V champions, St Helens RLFC played against 2000 NRL Premiers, the Brisbane Broncos in the 2001 World Club Challenge. Joynt captained at second-row forward and scored a try in Saints' victory.
In 2002, Joynt was at the centre of controversy when he seemingly performed a 'voluntary tackle' with seconds remaining in the 2002 Super League Grand Final. St Helens had just kicked a drop-goal to take a one-point lead in the match, and the penalty from the voluntary tackle would have given Bradford Bulls a chance to kick at goal and win the match. However, the referee dismissed wild protests from the Bradford players and the final hooter went, with St Helens winning 19-18. Having won Super League VI, St Helens contested the 2003 World Club Challenge against 2002 NRL Premiers, the Sydney Roosters. Joynt captained Saints from the second row in their 38-0 loss. Joynt relinquished captaincy of St Helens to Paul Sculthorpe at the end of 2003, and retired from the game following the 2004 season. Joynt was a Great Britain international with 27 caps. Joynt also represented Lancashire in the Origin Series.
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