John Ferguson (rugby league) facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Born | 15 July 1954 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Playing information
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| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 72 kg (11 st 5 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John "Chicka" Ferguson (born 15 July 1954) is a famous Australian former professional rugby league player. He played in the 1980s as a winger. John was known for scoring many tries.
He played for several teams in Australia, including the Newtown Jets, Eastern Suburbs Roosters, and the Canberra Raiders. With the Canberra Raiders, he helped them win the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in 1989 and 1990. John also played in England for Wigan, where he helped them win the 1985 Challenge Cup Final. He was later named in Australia's Indigenous Team of the Century.
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Playing Rugby League
John Ferguson started his rugby league journey playing for the South Grafton Rebels as a junior. He played there from 1972 to 1975. After that, he moved to Glen Innes, playing from 1976 to 1980.
Early Club Career
In 1981, John joined the Newtown Jets. He played in his first Grand Final with Newtown in 1981. After his time with Newtown, he moved to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.
Time in England
John then went to England to play for Wigan during the 1984–85 season. His time in England was very exciting. He scored 24 tries in just 25 games. This amazing performance caught the attention of Australian selectors.
John played as a winger in Wigan's 1984 Lancashire Cup Final. He also played a key role in Wigan's victory in the 1985 Challenge Cup Final. In that final, he scored two tries. The game was played at Wembley Stadium in London. Even though the Challenge Cup Final happened at the same time as the start of the NSWRL season, John flew across the world to play. He scored two tries in front of nearly 100,000 fans. Many people remember this game as one of the greatest Cup Finals ever.
Success with Canberra Raiders
After his time in England, John Ferguson returned to Australia. He joined the Canberra Raiders. In 1988, he was the top try-scorer in the League.
He played in two premiership-winning teams for the Canberra Raiders. In the famous 1989 Grand Final, he scored a dramatic try in the last minute. This sent the game into extra time. The Canberra Raiders then went on to win against the Balmain Tigers. After that season, he traveled with the Raiders to England for the 1989 World Club Challenge.
John was still one of the fastest players for the Raiders, even when he turned 36. He won his second premiership with the Canberra Raiders in the 1990 NSWRL season.
Representing His State and Country
John Ferguson was chosen to play for New South Wales as a winger. He played in the famous Rugby League State of Origin series.
He represented New South Wales in:
- Games I, II, and III of the 1985 State of Origin series
- Games II and III of the 1988 State of Origin series
- Games I, II, and III of the 1989 State of Origin series
John holds a special record. He is the oldest player to have played for a New South Wales State of Origin team. He was 34 years and 348 days old when he played.
Special Awards
In 2001, John Ferguson was honored by being named on the wing of the Indigenous Team of the Century. Arthur Beetson, who was the captain of that team, said that "Chicka was as good a winger as anybody."
John was also recognized in 2004. The Canberra Raiders chose a special team of the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players who had played for their club. John was included in this team.
