View source for Rod Griffin

{{short description|PNG international rugby league footballer}}
{{for|the basketball player|Rod Griffin (basketball)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Rod Griffin
|fullname       = Rodney Griffin<ref name="triplem1">{{cite web|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sport/nrl/news/2014/12/brisbane-broncos-sign-png-international-rodney-griffin-aka-/|title=Brisbane Broncos Sign PNG International Rodney Griffin aka "Rod the Bod"|publisher=Triplem.com.au|date=2014-12-11|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>
|image          = Rod Griffin Bulldogs.jpg
|imagesize      = 285px
|caption        = 
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|1|5}}
|birth_place    = [[Port Moresby]], [[Papua New Guinea]]
|height         = {{convert|187|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight         = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position       = {{rlp|LK|SR|PR}}
|teamA          = {{nowrap|[[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]]}}
|yearAstart     = 2007
|yearAend       = 17
|appearancesA   = 13
|triesA         = 3
|goalsA         = 0
|fieldgoalsA    = 0
|pointsA        = 12
| teamB         = {{nowrap|[[PNG Prime Minister's XIII]]}}
| yearBstart    = 2008
| yearBend      = 10
| appearancesB  = 3
| triesB        = 0
| goalsB        = 0
| fieldgoalsB   = 0
| pointsB       = 0
| teamC         = {{nowrap|[[Queensland Residents]]}}
| yearCstart    = 2014
| yearCend      = 
| appearancesC  = 1
| triesC        = 0
| goalsC        = 0
| fieldgoalsC   = 0
| pointsC       = 0
|retired        = 
|updated        = 6 January 2024
|source         = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/rod-griffin/summary.html|title=Rod Griffin - Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=1987-01-05|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref>
}}

'''Rodney Griffin''' (born 5 January 1987) is a Papua New Guinean professional [[rugby league]] footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr|sr}} and {{rlp|lk}} forward for the [[Northern Pride RLFC|Northern Pride]] in the [[Queensland Cup]]. He is a  [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinean]] international.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc08.com/players/png/rod_griffin.aspx|title=Rod Griffin|publisher=bigpond.com|access-date=2009-12-30}}</ref>

==Background==
Born in [[Papua New Guinea]], Griffin moved to Australia at the age of 3<ref name="couriermail1">{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/intrust-super-cup-grand-final-rod-griffin-creates-history/story-fniabjcr-1227543144012|title=Intrust Super Cup Grand Final : Rod Griffin Creates History|publisher=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> and played his junior rugby league for the [[Atherton Roosters]], before going into the [[North Queensland Cowboys]]' academy system.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/broncos-lifeline-for-png-journeyman/tabid/10874/newsid/83232/default.aspx|title=Broncos lifeline for PNG journeyman|publisher=NRL.com|date=2014-12-10|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Early career===
In 2005, Griffin played for the [[Wynnum Manly Seagulls]] in the [[Queensland Cup]].<ref name="couriermail1"/> In 2006, he moved down to [[Sydney|Sydney, New South Wales]] to play in the [[Wests Tigers]]' junior grades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sharksforever.com/forums/showthread.php?6401-A-week-im-the-NRL-10-08-16-08-06/page2|title=A week im the NRL 10/08 - 16/08/06 - Page 2|publisher=Sharksforever.com|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourfootyteam.com/comps_sgball-2006_awards.php|title=Harold Matthews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg to Premier League teams were present to receive awards ranging from best and fairest to player of the year, OURFOOTYTEAM.COM - THE HOME OF JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE, Rugby League Results, Rugby League Ladders, Rugby League Draw, JRLFC, NRL, NSWRL, ARL, CSDJRL, SHARKS|publisher=Ourfootyteam.com|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>

===2007===
In October and November, Griffin played 3 games for [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] against Wales, and France twice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLS0tLS0tLTc5ODctLS0tLW4teS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-07|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>

===2008===
In 2008, Griffin returned to the Queensland Cup to play for the [[Northern Pride RLFC|Northern Pride]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7548126.stm|title=BBC SPORT &#124; Rugby League &#124; Rugby League World Cup squads|publisher=BBC News|date=1970-01-01|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> In October and November, he played 3 games for Papua New Guinea at the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]] against England, New Zealand and Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLTctLS0tLS03OTg3LS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref><ref name="PNG name preliminary squad">{{cite web|url=http://www.rlwc08.com/news/news/archive/2008/08/03/png-name-preliminary-squad.aspx|title=PNG name preliminary squad|publisher=RLWC.com|date=2008-08-01|access-date=2008-08-06}}</ref><ref name="Wilshere handed Kumuls captaincy">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7669326.stm|title=Wilshere handed Kumuls captaincy|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-14|access-date=2008-10-14}}</ref>

===2009===
In 2009, Griffin again played for the Pride, hoping for a contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=31834 |title=PNG star comes into Cowboys' calculations - rleague.com |website=www.rleague.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911011332/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=31834 |archive-date=11 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2010===
On 19 September, Griffin played in the Pride's [[2010 Queensland Cup#Final Series|2010 Queensland Cup Grand Final]] victory over the [[Norths Devils]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ricketts|first=Steve|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-pride-wins-intrust-super-cup-final/story-e6frfkp9-1225926355726?from=public_rss|title=Northern Pride beat Norths Devils in Intrust Super Cup final at Suncorp Stadium|publisher=News.com.au|date=2010-09-19|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> In October and November, he played 3 games for Papua New Guinea at the [[2010 Rugby League Four Nations]] against Australia, New Zealand and England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NjEtLS0tLS0tLTc5ODctLS0tLXktLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>

===2011===
In 2011, Griffin joined the [[Tweed Heads Seagulls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tweeddailynews.com.au/news/rod-griffin-expected-to-return-rugby-league/931329/|title=Griffin expected to return|publisher=Tweed Daily News|date=2011-08-10|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref><ref>[http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=38729 Round 1 Queensland Intrust Super Cup Preview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403050854/http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=38729 |date=3 April 2011 }} ''rleague.com'', 18 March 2011</ref> On 25 September, he played in the Seagulls' [[2011 Queensland Cup#Grand final|2011 Queensland Cup Grand Final]] defeat by the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. This was his third Queensland Cup grand final in a row, after losing with the Pride in 2009 and winning with the Pride in 2010.<ref name="couriermail1"/>

===2013===
After spotting him in the Papua New Guinea camp while assistant coaching the side in 2010, [[Ipswich Jets]] co-coaches [[Ben Walker|Ben]] and [[Shane Walker (rugby league, born 1978)|Shane Walker]] signed Griffin to the Ipswich side, after initially missing out on him in 2010.<ref name="couriermail1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/jets-cup-hopes-back-on-track/1935501/|title=Jets Cup hopes back on track &#124; Ipswich Queensland Times|publisher=Qt.com.au|date=2013-07-08|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> The Walkers stripped 10 kilograms from his frame and moulded him into an 80-minute middle forward<ref name="autogenerated1"/> capable of performances like 309 metres in 66 minutes in Queensland Cup.<ref name="couriermail1"/>
[[File:Rod_Griffin.jpg|thumb|right|Griffin playing for the Tigers in 2016]]

===2015===
In 2015, Griffin did a pre-season with the [[Brisbane Broncos]],<ref name="triplem1"/> but failed to gain a contract. On 27 September, he played in the Jets' 2015 Queensland Cup Grand Final victory over the [[Townsville Blackhawks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/ipswich-jets-versus-townsville-blackhawks/2788096/|title=Historic win for Jets in Intrust Super Cup final &#124; Ipswich Queensland Times|publisher=Qt.com.au|date=2015-09-27|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/intrust-super-cup-grand-final-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/90146/default.aspx|title=Intrust Super Cup Grand Final preview|publisher=NRL.com|date=2015-09-27|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> On 4 October, he played in the Jets' [[2015 NRL State Championship]] victory over the [[Newcastle Knights]], scoring a try and setting up a try for winger Marmin Barba.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brett Keeble|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/ipswich-jets-shoot-down-newcastle-knights-to-win-nrl-state-championship-final-20151004-gk0zw3.html|title=Ipswich Jets shoot down Newcastle Knights to win NRL State Championship Final|publisher=Smh.com.au|date=2015-10-04|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref> On 13 October, he signed a 1-year contract to return to the Wests Tigers starting in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/wests-tigers-secure-three-forwards-19346/#xgcfGLwdrJEf0kO8.97|title=Wests Tigers secure three forwards &#124; NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|access-date=2015-10-14}}</ref>

===2016===
On 7 May, Griffin played for Papua New Guinea against [[Fiji national rugby league team|Fiji]] in the [[Pacific Rugby League International#Melanesian Cup 2|2016 Melanesian Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/png-stuns-fiji-in-a-thriller/tabid/10874/newsid/95678/default.aspx|title=PNG stuns Fiji in a thriller|date=7 May 2016 |publisher=nrl.com|access-date=7 May 2016}}</ref> Despite not being able to break into the Tigers' NRL team for 2016, he re-signed with them for 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-market-watch-knights-resign-gun-sharks-sign-raiders-youngster-kalyn-pongas-nrl-short-list/news-story/7728b25c9c91fd699db15fd8fc976780|title=Home &#124; Live Scores & Latest News|work=Fox Sports|date=8 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref>

===2017===
On 8 February, Griffin was granted a release for his Tigers' contract to join the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]], spending the entire season in the [[New South Wales Cup]]. At the end of the season, he represented [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] at the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup]] and was named in the NSW Cup Team of the Year.

===2018===
After two seasons in Sydney without making his NRL debut, Griffin returned to [[north Queensland]], joining the [[Townsville Blackhawks]] in the [[Queensland Cup]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/01/02/townsville-blackhawks-gains-and-losses/ | title=Townsville Blackhawks gains and losses | date=2 January 2018 }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bulldogs.com.au/team/profiles/rod_griffin.html Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
*[http://football.ipswichjets.com.au/players/rod-griffin Ipswich Jets profile]
*[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=378#Rod-Griffin 2017 RLWC profile]

{{Northern Pride squad - 2010 Queensland Cup premiers}}
{{Ipswich Jets squad - 2015 Queensland Cup premiers}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2010 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{Papua New Guinea 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Rod}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Papua New Guinean sportsmen]]
[[Category:Ipswich Jets players]]
[[Category:Northern Pride RLFC players]]
[[Category:Papua New Guinea national rugby league team captains]]
[[Category:Papua New Guinea national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Papua New Guinean emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Papua New Guinean rugby league players]]
[[Category:PNG Prime Minister's XIII players]]
[[Category:Queensland Residents rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Rugby league locks]]
[[Category:Rugby league props]]
[[Category:Rugby league second-rows]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from the National Capital District (Papua New Guinea)]]
[[Category:Tweed Heads Seagulls players]]
[[Category:Wests Tigers NSW Cup players]]
[[Category:Wynnum Manly Seagulls players]]