Jason Cayless
Jason Paul Cayless[1] (born 15 January 1980) of Maori descent[2] is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative prop forward, he is the younger brother of Parramatta Eels great, Nathan Cayless. He played his club football for the Sydney Roosters, with whom he won the 2002 Telstra Premiership, the Parramatta Eels, and St. Helens, with whom he won the 2006 Challenge Cup and 2006 Super League Grand Final, before finishing his career with the Wests Tigers.
Playing career
Cayless started his career in the National Rugby League with the Parramatta Eels alongside his older brother, Nathan Cayless, who had already been with the club for three years. In 2001 he made his representative debut for New South Wales Country Origin. The following year Cayless moved to the Sydney Roosters and played for them at prop forward in their 2002 NRL Grand Final win over the New Zealand Warriors. Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters traveled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens RLFC. Cayless played at prop forward in Sydney's victory. He made his international debut for New Zealand in 2002 and went on to play in ten Test matches for his country. He played at prop for the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final which was lost to the Penrith Panthers.
Cayless played for the Roosters at prop forward in their 2004 NRL grand final loss to cross-Sydney rivals, the Bulldogs.
Cayless played for St Helens as a prop forward in their 2006 Challenge Cup Final victory against the Huddersfield Giants. St Helens reached the 2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against Hull FC and Cayless played as a prop forward in Saints' 26-4 victory.
As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers the Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge. Cayless played at prop forward in the Saints' 18-14 victory.
After spending four seasons in Super League, in October 2009 Cayless signed with the Wests Tigers on a two-year contract starting in 2010.[3] He started the first three games of the season from the bench, but injuries saw him make no further appearances for the Tigers in 2010. He announced his retirement before the start of the 2011 season.
Highlights
- First Grade Debut: Round 21, Parramatta v Wests Tigers at Parramatta Stadium, 25 June 2000
- National Representation: 11 Tests for New Zealand
- NRL Premiership Winner: 2002 for Sydney Roosters
- Super League Championship Winner: 2006 for St Helens
- Carnegie Challenge Cup Winner: 2006 for St Helens
- World Club Challenge Winner: 2007 for St Helens
References