Josh Drinkwater

Joshua Drinkwater (born 15 June 1992) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half or stand-off for the Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League.

Josh Drinkwater
Personal information
Full nameJoshua Drinkwater
Born (1993-06-15) 15 June 1993
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)
Weight13 st 8 lb (86 kg)
Playing information
PositionScrum-half, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013 St. George Illawarra 4 0 0 1 1
2014 London Broncos 25 5 58 0 136
2015 Wests Tigers 1 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Leigh Centurions 34 5 28 2 78
2018 Catalans Dragons 21 9 75 0 186
2019 Hull Kingston Rovers 32 7 6 0 40
2020–22 Catalans Dragons 63 8 6 0 44
2023– Warrington Wolves 24 2 0 0 8
Total 204 36 173 3 493
Source: [1][2][3]
As of 4th march 2023

He has previously played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers in the NRL. He has also played for the London Broncos, Leigh Centurions, Catalans Dragons and Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. Drinkwater won the 2018 Challenge Cup with Catalans.

Background

Drinkwater was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and is of German descent.[4] He is the brother of fellow rugby league footballer, Scott Drinkwater who plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League.

Drinkwater played his junior football for the Terrigal Sharks, before being signed by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

National Youth Competition

From 2010 to 2012, Drinkwater played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles' National Youth Competition (NYC) team.[5][6]

He was Manly's NYC top point-scorer in 2012, with 137 points from 10 tries, 48 goals and 1 field goal.

On 4 September 2012, he signed a two-year contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons starting in 2013, where he was seen as a “possible saviour to a club reeling in the post-Wayne Bennett era.”[7][8]

St. George Illawarra Dragons (2013)
Drinkwater playing for the Illawarra Cutters in 2013

In round 5 of the 2013 NRL season, Drinkwater made his National Rugby League début for the St. George Illawarra Dragons against the Newcastle Knights.[9]

He finished off his début year in the NRL having only played in four games.[10]

London Broncos

In February 2014, Drinkwater joined the London Broncos effective immediately for the rest of the season in a straight swap for Michael Witt, after being released from the final year of his St. George Illawarra contract.[11]

He scored 136 points for the London Broncos, but the club managed just one victory for the entire Super League season.[7]

Wests Tigers
Drinkwater playing for the West Tigers in 2015

On 5 November 2014, he signed a two-year contract with the Wests Tigers, commencing in 2015.[12]

Drinkwater was initially signed as a back-up for halves Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks. Drinkwater commented on the situation saying, "I know I'm behind those boys, Jason Taylor told me straight away that "Mitch" and "Brooksy" were going to start the year in the first-grade team. I just want to come here, play good footy and if something happens and Jason Taylor calls my name, I've got to take my opportunity".[7]

In round 17 of the 2015 NRL season, Drinkwater made his Tigers' début against the Parramatta Eels.[13]

Leigh Centurions

On 17 May 2016, he was released from his contract at the Wests Tigers to take up an opportunity with the Leigh Centurions in the Championship.[14]

Drinkwater subsequently went onto help his new club gain promotion in 2016, back to the top-flight of English rugby league. Drinkwater left the Leigh Centurions after a two-year stay at the club, following relegation from the Super League via the Million Pound Game in a loss to the Catalans Dragons at the end of the 2017 season.

Western Suburbs Magpies

Drinkwater joined Intrust Super Premiership NSW side the Western Suburbs Magpies for the 2018 season.[15][16]

Catalans Dragons
Drinkwater playing for the Catalans Dragons in 2018

On 24 April 2018, Drinkwater signed a one-year deal to join the Catalans Dragons.[17]

On 25 August 2018, Drinkwater was part of the Dragons' historic 2018 Challenge Cup Final triumph over the Warrington Wolves.[18]

Securing the clubs first-ever piece of silverware, Drinkwater who started the game at halfback went onto kick four goals (8 points), subsequently helping the Perpignan based side secure a 20–14 victory.

Hull Kingston Rovers

On 23 December 2018, it was revealed that he had signed a one-year deal to play for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League.[19]

On 9 January 2019, Drinkwater received the number 24 jersey ahead of the start of the Super League season.

On 13 January 2019, Drinkwater made his non-competitive Hull Kingston Rovers' début in a pre-season friendly against the Widnes Vikings, Drinkwater claimed a 30–16 victory with his new club.

Drinkwater made his first competitive appearance for Hull Kingston Rovers in round 1 of the 2019 Super League season, Drinkwater who added 6 points with the boot recorded a thrilling 18–16 victory over cross-city rivals Hull F.C. at Craven Park.

Drinkwater also subsequently picked up the Sky Sports' 'Man of the Match Award.'

Drinkwater played his 100th career game on 10 March 2019, in a 6–10 victory over Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue.

On 4 April 2019, Drinkwater opened his try scoring account for Hull Kingston Rovers in a 45-26 Super League home victory over the Leeds Rhinos.

Drinkwater scored a brace of tries on 31 May 2019, in Hull Kingston Rovers' 22-28 Challenge Cup Quarter Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves.

Catalans Dragons (rejoin)

On 31 October 2019, it was announced that Drinkwater was re-joining Catalans Dragons.[20]

On 9 October 2021, Drinkwater played for Catalans in their 2021 Super League Grand Final defeat against St. Helens.[21]

Warrington Wolves

On 23 November 2022, Drinkwater signed a two-year deal to join Warrington.[22] Drinkwater played 24 games for Warrington in the 2023 Super League season as Warrington finished sixth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. Drinkwater played in the clubs elimination playoff loss against St Helens.[23]

Honours

Club (Catalans Dragons 2018)

References
  1. loverugbyleague
  2. "Josh Drinkwater – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  3. "London Broncos Rugby League | #ProudToBeBroncos | » News". Londonbroncosrl.com. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. "Garzaniti eager to fill Drinkwater's void". NSWRL. 2 May 2018.
  5. "D". Nyc Database. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  6. "Josh Drinkwater player results, scores, news and statistics". Rleague.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  7. Brady, Jack (12 February 2015). "Tigers halfback seeks NRL redemption". National Rugby League. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  8. "Dragons Sign Promising Talents". Dragons.com.au. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  9. "NRL 2013 – Round 5". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  10. "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  11. Michael Carayannis (22 February 2014). "St George Illawarra Dragons pair snapped up by London Broncos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  12. "Wests Tigers sign Josh Drinkwater | NRL". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  13. "Late Changes: NRL Round 17 vs. Eels – Tigers". Weststigers.com.au. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  14. "Wests Tigers release Josh Drinkwater". Zero Tackle. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  15. "Official Intrust Super Premiership profile of Josh Drinkwater for Western Suburbs Magpies – Wests Tigers". weststigers.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018.
  16. "Josh Drinkwater set to join Wests Magpies". 12 February 2018.
  17. "Catalans Dragons sign Josh Drinkwater after Luke Walsh's retirement".
  18. "Catalans Dragons beat Warrington in Challenge Cup final to make history". The Guardian. London. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  19. "Josh Drinkwater deal is done as Hull KR get their man". 23 December 2018.
  20. "Josh Drinkwater re-joins Catalans". Love Rugby League. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  21. "Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row". BBC Sport.
  22. "Josh Drinkwater: Warrington Wolves sign Catalans Dragons half-back". BBC Sport.
  23. "Highs and lows from Warrington Wolves' 2023 season". www.warringtonguardian.co.uk.
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