Josh Hoffman

Josh Hoffman
Personal information
Born (1988-03-10) 10 March 1988
Mackay, Queensland, Australia
Height 183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 89 kg (14 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position Fullback, Centre, Wing, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–14 Brisbane Broncos 109 33 0 0 132
2015– Gold Coast Titans 33 9 0 0 36
Total 142 42 0 0 168
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–13 New Zealand 5 2 0 0 8
2015 Indigenous All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Josh Hoffman (born 10 March 1988) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. A New Zealand national and Indigenous All Stars representative, traditionally a Fullback who can play at Five-Eighth, Centre and Wing, Hoffman previously played for the Brisbane Broncos from 2008 to 2014.

Background

Born in Mackay, Queensland to a New Zealand-born Maori father Shane and mother Grace is of Torres Strait Islands descent.[3] Hoffman attended Mackay State High School.[4] During his childhood junior footy playing days in Mackay, playing alongside Ben Barba;[5] as well as along with playing at Five-Eighth at Rugby League level for Mackay; Hoffman had also played a bit of Rugby Union, playing at Inside Centre.[6]

He is related to former Brisbane Broncos player Wendell Sailor,[7] Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks player Ben Barba,[8] Newcastle Knights player Dane Gagai[9][10] and Brisbane Broncos contracted player Travis Waddell. Hoffman is of Ngāti Pikiāo descent.[11] Hoffman has two daughters, Leilani-Grace (who was born in 2013)[12] and Evie (who was born in 2015) with long term partner/wife Emma Kerr who he married on 10 December 2011 at Coral Sea Resort in Airlie Beach. He and his wife; Emma had honeymooned in Hawaii before he had returned to Broncos training for the 2012 Season.[13]

Playing career

2008

In Round 13 of the 2008 NRL season, Hoffman made his NRL debut against the St George Illawarra Dragons filling for Karmichael Hunt while he was Origin duty at Fullback in the Broncos 28-10 loss at WIN Stadium.[14] Hoffman only played in 2 matches for the Broncos in his debut year in NRL in the 2008 NRL season, spending most the year in Under 20’s NYC Toyota Cup Competition.

2009

Hoffman returned to Broncos squad in Round 17 after off season shoulder surgery, against the New Zealand Warriors, scoring his first NRL try in the Broncos 28-14 win at Suncorp Stadium.[15] Hoffman played in 3 more matches for the Broncos filling in for Karmichael Hunt as he filled in for the injured Peter Wallace at Halfback. Hoffman played in 4 matches and scored 1 try (4p) for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2009 NRL season mostly spending the year playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup and was the player of the match for Queensland Residents in their win over New South Wales Residents.

2010

After the departure of Karmichael Hunt from the club at the end of the 2009 season, the youngster was tipped to take over the Fullback position at the club.[16] He did so, taking over the Fullback role for the Broncos in the 2010 Season and was awarded the Paul Morgan Medal as the Broncos' best and fairest player of the season.[17] Hoffman played in 20 matches and scored 7 tries (28p) for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2010 NRL season. Despite being raised in Queensland, Australia, as well as growing-up and playing his junior rugby league football in Mackay with Ben Barba;[18] Hoffman chose New Zealand over playing for Queensland and Australia, saying "I enjoyed watching Origin, watching the old greats when I was a kid but growing up I never rarely dreamt about playing Origin, I always wanted to play for New Zealand."[19] Yet to play a test for New Zealand, New Zealand rugby league football manager Tony Kemp believed Hoffman "could potentially head into the next World Cup in 2013 as a mainstay in the Kiwis team."[20]

2011

Hoffman featured in 16 matches and scored 6 tries (24p) for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2011 NRL season and had miss many games of that season due to injury. Hoffman picked-up a leg injury in the Round 3 clash against the Gold Coast Titans in the Broncos 14-8 win at Cbus Super Stadium and that sideline him until Round 13.[21][22] Hoffman featured in every Broncos game after coming back from a leg injury from Round 13 through to Round 26. However, he injured his leg in the Round 26 clash against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the Broncos 18-10 win at Suncorp Stadium in the first half and that ended his season, making himself to miss the Broncos finals clashes.[23][24] That also made him to miss the opportunity of making his Test debut and to play for the New Zealand Kiwis in the Newcastle Trans-Tasman Test against Australia and even the 2011 Four Nations Tournament. On 26 October 2011, Hoffman extended his contract through to 2015. After his contract resigning, he said that he was keen on shifting from Fullback to Five-Eighth for the 2012 season, as to replace retiring club captain Darren Lockyer in the number six jumper; as well as emulating the same way on-what Lockyer did, was to shift from Fullback to Five-Eighth.[25]

2012

On 20 April 2012, Hoffman made his international Test debut for New Zealand playing at Fullback in the Kiwis 20-12 loss to Australia in the 2012 ANZAC Test at Eden Park, Despite the loss, Hoffman produced a strong performance, making a couple of strong runs/metres with the ball and he also made a try-saving tackle on Brisbane Broncos club team-mate/Australian Kangaroos centre: Justin Hodges in the second half.[26][27] During the week before Round 23 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Hoffman was axed to the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup after he was late for training.[28] Hoffman returned in the next week for the Broncos in Round 24 against the Melbourne Storm playing on the Wing in the Broncos 19-18 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[29] Hoffman played in 23 matches and scored 3 tries (12p) for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2012 NRL season. Following the 2012 Season, Hoffman was selected to play Fullback for New Zealand in the post-season Trans-Tasman Test game against Australia at 1300SMILES Stadium, However Australia won the game 18-10.[30] Despite the loss, Hoffman was one of the best Kiwi-players on the field and he played very well, producing a Try-Saving tackle on Johnathan Thurston (in the second half of the Test game) and making a couple of great touches with the ball and producing a number of good runs/metres with the ball, as well as producing a great/strong performance.[31]

2013

Due to the shock arrival of Scott Prince from the Gold Coast Titans, Hoffman was shifted to the Wing so Corey Norman can play at Fullback making way for Prince to play in the Five-Eighth position. Hoffman had a flying start on the Wing scoring 7 tries in 6 matches including a scoring hatrick in Round 3 against the Melbourne Storm in the Broncos 32-26 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[32] For the 2013 Anzac Test, Hoffman was selected to play for New Zealand at Fullback, scoring a try right on half-time in the Kiwis 32-12 loss against Australia at Canberra Stadium.[33] Hoffman played on the Wing until Round 20 when Corey Norman was dropped to Queensland Cup and returned to his preferred position of Fullback. Hoffman finished the 2013 NRL season as the Brisbane Broncos highest tryscorer with 15 tries (60p) in 24 matches. Following the 2013 Season, Hoffman was named in the New Zealand Kiwis Rugby League World Cup Squad.[34] On 20 October, Hoffman played at Fullback in the Kiwis' 50-0 World Cup warm-up game over the Cook Islands.[35] However, two days before the Kiwis' first regular World Cup pool game clash against Samoa Hoffman dropped the bombshell on the Brisbane Broncos by asking an early release from his current Broncos contract (which expires in 2015) to join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, following Justin Hodges comments stating that he was 'not' the right player to play Fullback for the Broncos.[36] Hoffman played Fullback in the Kiwis' first regular World Cup game, scoring a try (the first try of the game in the 11th minute and the 1st half) in the Kiwis' 42-24 win against Samoa.[37] The following week, coach Stephen Kearney rested him and give Kevin Locke a chance to start at Fullback in the Kiwis' 48-0 win clash to France. However, the week after that Hoffman featured in the Kiwis' 56-10 win over PNG.[38] However, following the game he was ruled out of the Kiwis' quarter final clash against Scotland due to a shoulder injury. Hoffman didn't feature in any of the Kiwis' play-off World Cup final games clashes against England (the Semi-Final clash) and the Grand Final match against Australia; despite recovering from a shoulder injury and being cleared to play.

2014

Before the 2014 NRL season started, Hoffman asked for a release to join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and to seek an opportunity to play in his preferred position Fullback and to develop as a footballer; following Ben Barba's signing with the club and Justin Hodges's comment stating that Hoffman was 'not the right guy to play Fullback' for the club (which had occurred, following the 2013 NRL Season and while he was away and over in England for the Kiwis' 2013 Rugby League World Cup Campaign).[39][40] However, Hoffman ended the speculation around his immediate future at the Brisbane Broncos, saying that he is staying with the club and is happy to play anywhere in the Broncos' backline.[41][42] In February 2014, Hoffman was selected in the Brisbane Broncos runners-up inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[43] Hoffman started the Season, playing at Five-Eighth for the Broncos, This was Hoffman's first stint playing at Five-Eighth since his Mackay Junior Rugby League Football playing days (as a 17-year-old kid). In the lead-up to the Broncos ANZAC Day home-game match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Hoffman suffered a leg injury in the final Broncos training session, which ruled him out of that NRL ANZAC Day clash and the Trans-Tasman ANZAC Test for the New Zealand Kiwis.[44] However, Hoffman return from injury in Round 9 against the North Queensland Cowboys in the Broncos 27-14 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.[45] Hoffman featured at Five-eighth until Round 18. In Round 19, Hoffman shifted back to Fullback, while Broncos team-mate Ben Barba shifted to Five-eighth for the clash against the New Zealand Warriors, During the game, Hoffman helped the Broncos to a 28-22 win at Suncorp Stadium by producing a strong performance; saving 4 tries, making 98 metres (10 runs) and 6 tackle-bursts.[46] Hoffman went on to play Fullback for the Broncos regular season games until Round 23 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs where Hoffman picked-up a leg injury in the second half of the Broncos 42-16 loss at ANZ Stadium which ruled him out for the rest of the season.[47] Hoffman finished the Brisbane Broncos 2014 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 1 try (4p). On the 6th October, Hoffman was dropped from the New Zealand Kiwis' initial Four Nations squad.[48] However, following an season-ending injury to Panthers rookie winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak leading up to the Kiwi's first Four Nations game against Australia in Brisbane, Hoffman was called into the team squad.[49] On 30 October 2014, after months of speculation where Hoffman is going to move to, Hoffman signed a 3-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans.[50][51]

2015

On 20 January 2015, Hoffman was named in the Gold Coast Titans 2015 NRL Auckland Nines squad.[52] On 13 February 2015, Hoffman was selected on the Wing for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match at Cbus Super Stadium.[53] The Indigenous side won 20-6 over the NRL All Stars.[54] In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Hoffman made his club debut for the Gold Coast Titans against the Wests Tigers at centre in the Titans 19-18 loss at Cbus Super Stadium.[55] In Round 7 against the Penrith Panthers, Hoffman scored his first and second club tries for the Gold Coast Titans in the 32-6 win at Cbus Super Stadium.[56] Hoffman finished his first year with the Titans with him playing in all of their 24 matches and scoring 6 tries in the 2015 NRL season.

Statistics

Brisbane Broncos

Season Matches Tries Goals F/G Points
2008 2 - - -
2009 4 1 - - 4
2010 20 7 - - 28
2011 16 6 - - 24
2012 23 3 - - 12
2013 24 15 - - 60
2014 20 1 - - 4
Total 109 33 - - 128

Gold Coast Titans

Year Matches Tries Goals F/G Points
2015 23 5 - - 20
Total 23 5 - - 20

New Zealand

Season Matches Tries Goals F/G Points
2012 2 - - - -
2013 3 2 - - 8
2014 - - - - -
2015 - - - - -
Total 5 2 - - 8

References

  1. "Josh Hoffman - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  2. https://web.archive.org/20140418234539/http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/Kiwis_Players_Details.php?id=773. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Aaron Lawton. "Future looks black with Queenslander Hoffman set to join Kiwi ranks". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  4. "Broncos Young Gun Josh Hoffman Gains From Pain". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  5. "Nocookies". The Australian. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  6. "Fatherhood proving a boon for Hoffman's footy game | Mackay Daily Mercury". Dailymercury.com.au. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  7. Laine Clark and Ian McCullough (2013-08-29). "Barba feels for cousin Hoffman". News.smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  8. "Knights v Broncos preview". NRL.com. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  9. "Broncos Utility Josh Hoffman Wants Cousin Dane Gagai Back at Brisbane". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  10. Ben Stanley (2012-04-22). "Hoffman gets full backing after Anzac Test". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  11. "New dad Hoffman in fine form for Broncos | Mackay Daily Mercury". Dailymercury.com.au. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  12. "Josh Hoffman Forces to Drop Kilos After Arriving Back to Training Overweight". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  13. "Dragons fire as Sailor sinks". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  14. "Clinton's horrific injury spoils the Broncos' night". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  15. https://web.archive.org/20080720135021/http://www.broncos.com.au/index.php?page_id=3638. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. "Rookie Josh Hoffman is Bronco of the Year". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  17. Ryan, Nathan (2013-10-25). "Ben Barba hopeful Josh Hoffman will stay with Brisbane Broncos". News.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  18. "League: Kearney welcomes Hoffman's Kiwis dream - Sport - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  19. Aaron Lawton. "Future looks black with Queenslander Hoffman set to join Kiwi ranks". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  20. "Titans v Broncos". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  21. "Broncos Josh Hoffman Reveals He Continued to Train Without Knowing He Had a Broken Leg". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  22. "Broncos Beat Manly 18-10 in Darren Lockyer's Final Regular Season Home Game". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  23. "Josh Hoffman's NRL Season Has Come to a Shattering End with a Knee Injury Putting Him Out of the Finals". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  24. "Broncos Josh Hoffman Re-Signs Through 2015; Is Keen to Take Darren Lockyer's No.6 Jersey". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  25. "Broncos Josh Hoffman Named to Make Test Debut for New Zealand". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  26. "League: Kiwis solid in Anzac test loss - Sport - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2012-04-21. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  27. "Axed Bronco Josh Hoffman Admits He's Learned His Lesson". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  28. "A Cooper Cronk Drop Goal Gives Storm a Thrilling One Point Win over Broncos". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  29. "Nocookies". The Australian. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  30. Balym, Todd (2012-10-16). "Josh Hoffman not guaranteed Kiwi jersey at World Cup". News.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  31. "Broncos v Storm in Round Four of the NRL". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  32. "Kangaroos Blow Kiwis Away in ANZAC Test". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  33. "Sonny Bill Williams absent from New Zealand's rugby league World Cup squad due to 'other commitments' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  34. "VIDEO Kiwis beat Cook Islands 500 in Rugby League World Cup 2013 warmup | Sport". 3 News. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  35. "Hoffman 'not right' for fullback: Hodges". NRL.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  36. Cartwright, Phil (2013-10-27). "Rugby League World Cup 2013: New Zealand 42-24 Samoa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  37. Archived 9 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. "Josh Hoffman's Manager Confirms the Brisbane Broncos Fullback Wants Out to Join the Bulldogs". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  39. "Josh Hoffman Nor Right for Fullback Says Brisbane Broncos Team Mate Justin Hodges". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  40. Phil Lutton (2014-02-20). "Josh Hoffman to stay with Brisbane Broncos". Brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  41. "NRL: Josh Hoffman staying at Brisbane Broncos". Stuff.co.nz. 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  42. "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  43. "Josh Hoffman Still Has a Chance for New Zealand in ANZAC Test". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  44. "Anthony Griffin's Gamble Flopped; Martin Kennedy Exposed by Cowboys in Queensland Derby". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  45. "Gutsy Broncos Fight Back to Beat Warriors in Thriller". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  46. "Josh Hoffman Suffers Leg Injury in Loss to South Sydney". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  47. "Josh Hoffman Has Copped a Second Body Blow with the Unwanted Broncos Fullback Sensationally Axed from the New Zealand Side". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  48. "New Zealand Draft Josh Hoffman in for Injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  49. "Titans confirm Hoffman signing". NRL.com. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  50. "Josh Hoffman Set to Sign With Gold Coast Titans Freeing Cash for Darius Boyd to Join Broncos". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  51. "TITANS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. 2015-01-20. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  52. "Thurston, Inglis top polls for Indigenous All Stars". NRL.com. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  53. "The Indigenous All Stars Have Beaten the NRL Stars 20-6". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  54. "High shot mars Wests Tigers' last-gasp win over Gold Coast Titans". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  55. "Gold Coast Titans Halfback Kane Elgey and His Team Stun Wounded Panthers". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-20.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, May 01, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.