Mark Hughes (rugby league)

Mark Hughes (born 15 December 1976 in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played club football for the Newcastle Knights in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) and later for the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League. He primarily played at fullback or in the centres.

Club career

Hughes played for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in their 1995 grand final victory. He then joined the Newcastle Knights and in his debut season he was on the wing in Newcastle's maiden Grand Final victory over Manly in the 1997 Optus Cup final. He subsequently shifted to the centres and enjoyed a second premiership title with the Knights in 2001.

Injuries hampered Hughes' later career and limited his representative appearances. At the end of 2005 he left the Knights to join French club Les Catalans for the 2006 European Super League season.

In 2010 he was named fullback of Kurri Rugby League Club's team of the century.

Representative career

Hughes was selected for all three games for the New South Wales Blues in the 2001 Origin series where he played at fullback.

Career highlights

• First Grade Debut: 1997 - Round 9, Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Chargers at Gold Coast Stadium, 3 May. He scored a try on debut.
• Representative selection: 2001, State of Origin
• Premierships: 1997, Newcastle Knights defeated Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22–16 and 2001, Newcastle Knights......
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