Brett Kenny
Five-eighth, Centre
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2008
- Date of Birth:
- 16 March 1961
- Birthplace:
- Canterbury, NSW
- Nickname:
- Bert
- Debut Team:
- Parramatta Eels
- Date:
- 15 June 1980
- Opposition:
- South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Venue:
- Redfern Oval, Sydney
- Representative:
- City, New South Wales, Australia
- Clubs:
- Parramatta Eels, Wigan
Career
Milestones
- Premierships: 1981-83, 1986
- Kangaroo Tours: 1982, 1986
- Challenge Cup: 1985
- Grand Final man of the match*: 1982-83
- Lance Todd Trophy: 1985
- Golden Boot award: 1985
- Rated No. 27 in Rugby League Week’s Top 100 players: 1992
- Named in NRL Team of the 1980s: 2004
Playing
- First Class Games
- 374
- Points
- 627
- Tries
- 168
Biography
Brett Kenny is inextricably linked to the Parramatta juggernaut of the early 1980s. Forming a dynamic scrum-base combination with halfback Peter Sterling and lock Ray Price, it was Kenny at five-eighth who was the connection to the Eels' stellar three-quarters Mick Cronin, Steve Ella and Eric Grothe.
The Eels broke point-scoring barriers and dominated the NSWRL premiership with four grand final victories between 1981 and 1986.
Kenny's ability to read the play was exquisite, leading to numerous intercept tries at key moments. With subtle acceleration, sidestep and dummy, Kenny crossed for 21 tries in an imposing 1983 season.
Kenny was a big-match performer, scoring two tries in each grand final during Parramatta's first three premiership wins.
He was acclaimed the best player in league history by Billy Boston after helping Wigan to win the 1985 Challenge Cup final, when he was named man-of-the match.
In 1986, Kenny and Sterling steered a depleted Parramatta to a fourth premiership with a 4–2 win against Canterbury.
In 1982, Kenny was selected for the 1982 Kangaroo touring party and was the starting five-eighth in all three Ashes Tests, forcing Wally Lewis back to the bench.
In 1986, as a centre, he scored eight tries in five Tests for the unbeaten Kangaroos, the year he was awarded the Golden Boot as the best player in the world. Kenny retired in 1993 after a 265-game career with Parramatta.
“If I had a choice between him (Kenny) and Bobby Fulton, I’d have this lad.”
Alex Murphy Former English halfback and coach
88. Brett Kenny - Hall of Fame
Career Stats
Club Career
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta Eels | Premiership | 1980 | 1993 | 265 | 110 | - | - | 410 |
| Parramatta Eels | Official Pre-Season |
1981
1990 |
1981
1992 |
7 | 3 | - | - | 11 |
| Parramatta Eels | Mid-Week Competitions |
1980
1986 |
1984
1989 |
21 | 12 | - | - | 41 |
| Wigan | England First Class Games | 1984 | 1985 | 25 | 19 | - | - | 76 |
Representative Career
City - Country
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Seconds | Country Seconds | 1981 | 1981 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| City Firsts | Country Firsts |
1983
1986 |
1984
1986 |
3 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
| City Origin | Country Origin | 1987 | 1987 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
State
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | State of Origin | Queensland | 1982 | 1987 | 17 | 2 | - | - | 8 |
International
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Tests |
1982
1986 |
1984
1987 |
17 | 10 | - | - | 36 |
| Australia | Tour Matches |
1982
1986 |
1982
1986 |
16 | 10 | - | - | 37 |
Latest
Hall of Fame Members
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