Brian Hambly facts for kids

Brian Clinton Hambly (born October 31, 1937 – died August 30, 2008) was a super talented Australian rugby league player. He was known as a strong forward. Brian played for the Australian national team from 1959 to 1965. He also played for famous clubs like the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Parramatta Eels. Many people thought he was one of Australia's best rugby league players of the 1900s.

Brian's Club Career

Playing for Souths and Wagga

Brian Hambly started playing rugby league as a junior for the Mascot club in South Sydney. In 1955, he played for Souths' junior team, called the Presidents Cup side. The Rabbitohs signed him to their senior team in 1956. He played three seasons with them.

In 1958, he played for a New South Wales junior team against Great Britain. When he was only 21, in 1959, Brian became a captain-coach in a country town called Wagga Wagga. He played there for two seasons. While playing in the country, he was chosen to play for his state and for Australia for the first time.

Joining the Parramatta Eels

In 1961, the Parramatta Eels club wanted Brian to join them. They paid a lot of money to get him, which was a record at the time – 2,500 pounds!

The Parramatta club had a tough start in the top league. They often finished last in the years before Brian joined. But things started to change in 1962. A famous coach, Ken Kearney, joined the team. Also, other great players like Ron Lynch, Bob Bugden, and Ken Thornett came to Parramatta.

With Brian Hambly and these new players, Parramatta became much stronger. They made it to the finals every year from 1962 to 1965. Brian was at the peak of his career during this time. He played for Parramatta until 1967. In his last year, he was named captain-coach. However, he had a knee injury and decided to step down. He let a younger player, Bob O'Reilly, take over.

Playing for His State and Country

Brian Hambly first played for a representative team in 1958. He played for the New South Wales junior team against Great Britain. He played alongside future rugby league legends like Johnny Raper and Ian Walsh.

In 1959, while still playing in Wagga, he was chosen for the senior New South Wales team. He played in a big game against Queensland. Over 35,000 fans watched that game!

Soon after, Brian was picked as a reserve player for Australia's national team. This was for their games against New Zealand in 1959. He was also chosen for the 1959 Kangaroo tour. This was a long trip where the Australian team played many games in other countries. Brian played in all six main Test matches and 16 other games on that tour.

At first, Brian was the main "lock" player for Australia. But then, Johnny Raper played so well that Brian moved to the "second-row" position for the rest of his Test career.

Brian went on another Kangaroo tour in 1963-64. He played in five more Test matches and nineteen other games. He also toured New Zealand in 1965. In total, Brian Hambly played in eight different Test series. He played against all the top rugby league countries: Great Britain, France, and New Zealand.

Brian's Playing Statistics

Life After Playing and Awards

After he stopped playing rugby league, Brian Hambly ran a hotel called the Willoughby Hotel in Sydney. He did this from 1975 to 1979.

In February 2008, Brian was named one of Australia's 100 Greatest Players. This special list was made to celebrate 100 years of rugby league in Australia.

In 2005, Brian Hambly was also honored by the Parramatta Eels. He was added to their Hall of Fame, which is a special place for the club's most important players.

Brian Hambly passed away on August 30, 2008, at the age of 71.