Anthony Minichiello facts for kids

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Anthony Minichiello

Personal information
Full name	Antonio Marcus Minichiello
Born	(1980-05-24) 24 May 1980 (age 45) Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	91 kg (14 st 5 lb)
Position	Fullback, Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2000–14 Sydney Roosters 302 139 0 1 557 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1999–13 Italy 7 1 0 0 4 2001–10 NSW City Origin 4 2 0 0 8 2003–11 New South Wales 11 8 0 0 32 2003–05 Australia 19 11 0 0 44
Relatives	Mark Minichiello (brother)

Anthony Minichiello (born 24 May 1980) is a famous former professional rugby league player. He was the captain of the Sydney Roosters team in the National Rugby League (NRL). He holds records for playing the most games and scoring the most tries for the club.

Anthony also played for the Australian national team and the Italian national team. He represented New South Wales in the tough State of Origin games. He played his whole career with the Roosters. He helped them win the NRL Premierships in 2002 and 2013. He retired after the 2014 season. In 2005, he won the Golden Boot Award as the best international player. His brother, Mark Minichiello, also played rugby league for Italy.

Early Life and Rugby Beginnings

Anthony Minichiello was born in Liverpool, a city in South Western Sydney, Australia. He started playing rugby league for a local team called East Valley United.

When he was young, a famous rugby league scout, Arthur Beetson, noticed his talent. Arthur Beetson signed Anthony to play for the Sydney Roosters club. In 1999, before his NRL debut, Anthony played for Italy in the first-ever Mediterranean Cup. He announced his retirement from the game on 4 August 2014.

Anthony's Amazing Rugby Career

Starting Out in the NRL (2000s)

Anthony Minichiello made his first appearance in the NRL at age 20. This was in Round 4 of the 2000 season for the Roosters. He played against the Bulldogs at the Sydney Football Stadium. He was the 994th player to play for the Roosters' top team.

In his first year, the Roosters lost the 2000 NRL Grand Final to the Brisbane Broncos. By his second season, he was good enough to play for representative teams. He was chosen for City Origin in the 2001 City vs Country Origin match.

After scoring 16 tries in the 2002 NRL season, Anthony played on the wing for the Roosters. They won the 2002 NRL Grand Final against the New Zealand Warriors. He also helped the Roosters win the 2003 World Club Challenge. They beat the English champions, St. Helens, 38–0 in England.

After 2002, Anthony moved to play as a fullback (fullback). This new position helped the Roosters play some of their best rugby. It also led to him being chosen for the New South Wales and Australian teams. He played his 100th NRL game in the 2003 finals series. The Roosters lost the 2003 NRL Grand Final to the Penrith Panthers. In 2003, Anthony ran with the ball for 4,571 metres, more than any other player. He then went on the successful 2003 Kangaroo tour with the Australian team.

In 2004, Anthony was again chosen for New South Wales. He was named the Dally M Fullback of the Year. He scored a career-high 18 tries that season. He also won the Harry Sunderland Medal. He played fullback for the Roosters in their 2004 NRL Grand Final loss to the Bulldogs. He was selected for the Australian team in the 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. Australia won the final against Great Britain 44–4.

Another great season followed in 2005. Anthony's performances for NSW earned him the Wally Lewis Medal. This award is for the best player in the 2005 State of Origin series. He also won the Harry Sunderland Medal again as the best player in the 2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. He then won the 2005 Golden Boot Award as the international player of the year.

Anthony faced some injuries starting in 2006. A back injury kept him out for most of that season. This injury also affected his chances of playing for Australia. He was named as the fullback in the Roosters' "Team 100 – The Centurions" in 2007. He returned to play for NSW in Game 1 of the 2007 State of Origin series. However, his back injury kept him out for the rest of the 2007 season.

In the 2008 NRL season, Anthony returned but his back pain came back. This affected his chances for the Australian team. In 2009, he played only two games before injuring his ankle. The Roosters finished last in the NRL that year.

Minichiello playing in 2010

Later Career and Captaincy (2010s)

In the 2010 NRL season, Anthony Minichiello was finally injury-free. He moved from fullback to the wing to make space for a new player. He played well and was chosen for the 2010 City v Country Origin match. He signed a new deal to stay with the Roosters. On 23 August 2010, he scored his 100th try against the Gold Coast Titans.

The Roosters reached the 2010 NRL Grand Final but lost to the St George Illawarra Dragons. Anthony moved back to fullback during the 2010 season.

In 2011, he was named in the Italian team for the 2013 World Cup qualifying. He was called up for Game 2 of the 2011 State of Origin series. He scored the winning try for New South Wales, helping them win 18–8. In Round 16 of the NRL season, he scored his 105th try. This made him the Roosters' all-time leading try-scorer.

At the end of 2011, Anthony captained Italy to a draw against Lebanon. This draw was enough for Italy to qualify for the 2013 World Cup.

On 4 May 2012, he signed a new one-year deal with the Roosters. In 2013, Anthony became the captain of the Roosters. He led them to victory in the 2013 NRL Grand Final. He was the first fullback to captain a team to a Grand Final win since 1934.

After the 2013 NRL season, Anthony captained Italy in the 2013 World Cup. Italy did not advance past the group stage.

Roosters legend, Anthony Minichiello running with the ball against the Warriors, in 2014

On 4 August 2014, Anthony announced he would retire at the end of the season. He played his entire career with the Roosters. In his final game, he broke the record for most matches played for the Roosters. He played his 302nd game in a Grand Final Qualifier.

Awards and Achievements

Individual Awards 2004: Dally M Fullback of the Year 2004: Harry Sunderland Medal (Tri-Nations) 2005: Golden Boot Award (International Player of the Year) 2005: Harry Sunderland Medal (Tri-Nations) 2005: RLIF Back of the Year Award 2005: Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin) 2007: Named Fullback in the Sydney Roosters Team of the Century

Minichiello in 2013 Team Achievements 2000 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2002 NRL Grand Final: Premiers (Winners) 2003 World Club Challenge: Champions (Winners) 2003 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2004 NRL Minor Premiers (Finished first in regular season) 2004 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2010 NRL Grand Final: Runners-up 2013 NRL Minor Premiers 2013 NRL Grand Final: Premiers 2014 World Club Challenge: Champions 2014 NRL Minor Premiers

Career Statistics

Season	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	Pts
2000	Sydney Roosters	24	7	0	0	28
2001	Sydney Roosters	26	14	0	0	56
2002	Sydney Roosters	26	16	0	0	64
2003	Sydney Roosters	25	10	0	0	40
2004	Sydney Roosters	25	18	0	0	72
2005	Sydney Roosters	22	14	0	0	56
2006	Sydney Roosters	6	4	0	0	16
2007	Sydney Roosters	10	2	0	1	9
2008	Sydney Roosters	9	3	0	0	12
2009	Sydney Roosters	8	1	0	0	4
2010	Sydney Roosters	26	12	0	0	48
2011	Sydney Roosters	20	6	0	0	24
2012	Sydney Roosters	24	9	0	0	36
2013	Sydney Roosters	24	6	0	0	24
2014	Sydney Roosters	27	17	0	0	68
	Totals	302	139	0	1	557

Minichiello in 2015

Personal Life

Minichiello and Terry Biviano in February 2012.

Anthony Minichiello used to be a gymnast. His nickname is "The Count" because some people think he looks like The Count from Sesame Street. He is also known as "Mini".

His younger brother, Mark Minichiello, also played professional rugby league. Both brothers have Italian family backgrounds.

On 22 January 2012, Anthony Minichiello married Australian shoe designer Terry Biviano. They had a grand wedding at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. On 2 December 2013, Anthony and Terry welcomed their first child, a daughter named Azura Trésor.