Chris Melling facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Christopher Melling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 21 September 1984 Ashton-in-Makerfield, England |
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Playing information
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 14 st 7 lb (92 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing, Fullback, Second-row, Loose forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Christopher "Mello" Melling (born 21 September 1984) is a former English rugby league player. He played during the 2000s and 2010s. Chris played for England's younger teams (Under-16s and Under-18s). He also played as a fullback for the Great Britain team.
At club level, he played for Ashton Bears ARLFC and Hindley ARLFC as a junior. Later, he joined the Super League to play for the Wigan Warriors and Harlequins RL. Harlequins RL was later renamed the London Broncos in 2012. Chris could play in many different positions, like fullback, winger, second-row, or loose forward. This meant he was known as a 'utility player'.
Contents
Early Rugby League Career
Chris Melling was born in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, England. He went to Byrchall High School.
He started playing junior rugby league for the Ashton and Hindley clubs. Chris was a youth international player for England. In 2001, he toured Australia and New Zealand with the England Under 16s team. He also played for England's Under 18 Academy team.
Playing for Wigan Warriors
Chris was once the captain of the Wigan Senior Academy team. He played several games for the Wigan first team.
In 2004, during the Super League competition, Chris had a serious knee injury. This happened while he was playing for Wigan against Leeds at Headingley. Many people thought Chris would be a future star, but his season ended early because of this injury.
When he returned to play in 2005, Chris played 10 more games for the Wigan Warriors. However, he got another knee injury that needed another operation.
Chris got back to full fitness in 2006. But it was hard for him to get a spot in the first team. This was because another player, Chris Ashton, was playing very well at the club. Chris Melling then moved to play as a hooker in Wigan's academy. He played so well that he was voted the Under-21s Academy 'Player of the Year' for 2006.
He decided to leave Wigan to find more chances to play regularly in the first team.
Time with Harlequins RL
When Chris joined Harlequins, he was first meant to be a backup hooker to Chad Randall. But Chris, who was a Great Britain international, soon became the main fullback for the team. People compared him to another great player, Wade McKinnon. Chris was strong in defense and good at finding gaps to run with the ball when attacking. His move to Harlequins was also going to see him change his playing position to hooker. Before this, he had played in many different positions in the backline. Most of his first team games were as an outside back.
Chris played very well in 2007. He started games as a fullback and in other backline positions, scoring four tries. In May 2007, Chris agreed to a new two-year deal with Harlequins Rugby League. This happened in the middle of his first season at the Twickenham Stoop stadium. This new deal kept Chris in London until 2009. He was seen as a rising star at Harlequins. The club was investing in talented young British players.
Playing for His Country
In June 2007, Chris Melling was chosen to join the Great Britain squad. He played as a fullback in the Test match against France. His Harlequins teammate, Paul Sykes, also joined him in the Great Britain team. Chris made his Great Britain debut in the 42-14 win over the French team on 22 June 2007. He played despite having an injury.
Life Away from Rugby
Chris Melling is also a qualified Physiotherapist. He studied at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. He graduated in June 2006. Chris hopes to open his own physiotherapy clinic in the future.
