Shaun Berrigan

Brisbane centre/five-eighth partnered Allan Langer in the Broncos line-up until moving to half in 2003. After a season of moderate success, coach Wayne Bennett moved the tough, nuggetty backline player to the centres after Darren Lockyer shifted to five-eighth in 2004. Berrigan made his Test debut from the interchange bench in the ANZac Test in Newcastle that year but missed the State of Origin series through injury. Chosen for Australia in the end of season Tri Nations competition Berrigan played in all five Tests on tour, including Australia’s stunning 44-4 win in the final, with his highly-consistent form keeping team-mate Brent Tate out of the Kangaroos’ line-up. Berrigan moved back into the centres in 2005 but the following year shifted into the hooker role with the Broncos in the run to the semi-finals. In the club’s authoritative 15-8 win over Melbourne in the grand final Berrigan was named Clive Churchill Medal winner for his tireless defensive display and incisive running around the rucks. After playing in Queensland’s State of Origin series victory from the interchange bench Berrigan capped a marvellous year by playing in five Tests (again as an interchange player) in Australia’s Tri-Nations success.