Playing Career
Vital Statistics
- Full Name
- Brett Edward Kenny
- Nickname(s)
- Bert
- Born
- Thursday, 16th March, 1961
- Current Age
- 65 years and 14 days
- Place Of Birth
- Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia
Honours & Awards
Based only on data available in the RLP database. This information should be used as a guide only.
- The Ashes
- 1982, 1984, 1986
- World Cup
- 1985/1988
- Test Series
- France vs Australia 1982/83, Australia vs New Zealand 1986
- State of Origin
- 1985, 1986
- City vs Country
- 1987
- City vs Country Firsts
- 1983, 1984, 1986
- NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL)
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986
- Challenge Cup
- 1984/1985
- Midweek Cup
- 1980, 1986
- Clive Churchill Medal
- 1982, 1983
- Golden Boot Award
- 1985
- Lance Todd Trophy
- 1985
- Dally M Representative Player Of The Year
- 1986
- National Rugby League Hall Of Fame
- 2008
- NSWRL Hall Of Fame
- 2021
Biography
One of the most naturally gifted players to emerge during the modern era, Brett Kenny possessed cat-like anticipation, dazzling acceleration and a great step. The son of Australian Baseball rep Alan Kenny scored two tries in a hat-trick of grand final wins for P’matta (1981-83) and played in 17 Tests for Australia before standing down from Test duty in 1988. The Guildford junior was graded with the Eels in 1980 and was partnering Mick Cronin in the centres before the end of the year. Linking with halfback Peter Sterling, Kenny formed a classic combination at the scrumbase with the pair playing in five grand finals (1981-84 & 1986). He made his debut for NSW in 1982 and his brilliant form on the Kangaroo tour kept vice-captain Wally Lewis out of the Test line-ups. Kenny played in all six Tests on tour against Papua New Guinea, Great Britain and France but from 1984, the remainder of his Test career was played in the centres with Lewis at pivot and captain. English fans saw Kenny at his absolute best during his stay with Wigan in 1985. He scored another double in the club's win over Hull in the Challenge Cup final and became the first Australian player to win the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match. (Champion Great Britain winger Billy Boston lauded him as the finest player he had seen - high praise indeed). Kenny's clashes with Wally Lewis during 17 interstate matches in the early years of State of Origin football became legendary and the pair was featured on the Winfield State of Origin trophy. In the 1986 grand final against C’bury, Kenny was again twice across the line but could not force the ball. P’matta won their fourth premiership, 4-2, and at seasons’ end Kenny toured with the Kangaroos for a second time. In 1986 he won the Adidas 'Golden Boot' for best player in the world but after an unhappy match against NZ in 1987 (in which he carried a neck injury) he stood down from Test duty citing family reasons. While P’matta's fortunes waned in the early 1990s Kenny continued to give great service for the club. In 1991, after moving to lock, he became the first (and still the only) clubman to score 100 tries. Kenny’s inspiring, creative efforts often stood out in a struggling Eels team following the retirement of the club’s star players. The laconic P’matta captain celebrated his testimonial year in 1992 before a shoulder injury suffered in the International Sevens tournament at the beginning of 1993 put plans for a competitive final season on hold. He recovered to finish the season and if his form was not exactly ‘vintage Kenny’, he retired as one of the greats of the modern game. After working for FoxSports for several seasons Kenny entered the coaching ranks with Penrith but was released by the club in 2006 before his Jersey Flegg team’s win in the grand final. Autobiography, The Natural (1993).
- ALAN WHITICKER
Playing Career Statistics
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
| Representative Career - International | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests (Senior International Matches) | - | 17 | 10 | - | - | 36 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 94.12% | List | ||||
| The Ashes | 3 | 8 | 3 | - | - | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| World Cup | 1 | 3 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Tour Matches | Australia | - | 32 | 18 | - | - | 67 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 96.88% | List | |||
| Tour Matches | Parramatta Eels | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | |||
| Test Series | 5 | 13 | 9 | - | - | 33 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Representative Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| State of Origin | 2 | 17 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 47.06% | List | ||||
| City vs Country | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| City vs Country Firsts | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Club Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) | 4 | 265 | 110 | 0 | - | 410 | 151 | 109 | 5 | 56.98% | List | ||||
| NSWRFL/NSWRL Finals | - | 19 | 14 | - | - | 51 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 73.68% | List | ||||
| Preseason Cup | - | 4 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | ||||
| Midweek Cup | 2 | 21 | 12 | - | - | 41 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 57.14% | List | ||||
| Challenge Cup AU | - | 3 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Club Career - UK | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| English Championship | - | 18 | 16 | - | - | 64 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 72.22% | List | ||||
| Premiership Trophy | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | List | ||||
| Challenge Cup | 1 | 5 | 3 | - | - | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| UK Top Division | - | 18 | 16 | - | - | 64 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 72.22% | List | ||||
| Overall | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||||
| First Class | 370 | 164 | 0 | - | 612 | 275 | 140 | 6 | 74.32% | List | |||||
Test Matches - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Australia | 1982, 1984, 1986-87 | 17 | 10 | - | - | 36 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 94.12% | List | ||||
World Cup Matches - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Australia | 1982-1986 | 3 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
Australia - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| NSW City Seconds | 1981 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| NSW | 1982-87 | 17 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 47.06% | List | ||||
| NSW City Firsts | 1983-84, 1986 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| NSW City | 1987 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Overall | 1981-1987 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 59.09% | List | ||||
NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1980 | 8 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 37.50% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1981 | 25 | 14 | - | - | 42 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 68.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1982 | 29 | 15 | - | - | 45 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 79.31% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1983 | 29 | 21 | - | - | 84 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 68.97% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1984 | 24 | 7 | - | - | 28 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 70.83% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1985 | 14 | 7 | - | - | 28 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 64.29% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1986 | 22 | 11 | - | - | 44 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 68.18% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1987 | 14 | 6 | - | - | 24 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 57.14% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1988 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1989 | 21 | 9 | - | - | 36 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 52.38% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1990 | 19 | 4 | - | - | 16 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 52.63% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1991 | 22 | 6 | - | - | 24 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 27.27% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1992 | 22 | 4 | 0 | / | 2 | 0.00% | - | 16 | 6 | 15 | 1 | 27.27% | List | |
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1993 | 14 | 4 | - | - | 16 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 28.57% | List | ||||
NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Parramatta | 1980-93 | 265 | 110 | - | - | 410 | 151 | 109 | 5 | 56.98% | List | ||||
English Career - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Wigan | 1984/85 | 25 | 19 | - | - | 76 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 100.00% | List | ||||
English Career - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Wigan | 1984 | 25 | 19 | - | - | 76 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 76.00% | List | ||||
Contributions:
Andrew Ferguson, Rugby League Tables, AJ Lucantonio, Shawn Dollin, Paul Carter, Greg Fiveash, Steven Russo, Alan Katzmann, Max Turner, Bill Bates
Sources:
David Middleton's Rugby League Yearbook (1987-88 to present), Match Video, Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook (1981-82 to 1999), Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club
Your Say
26 Oct 2017 6:31pm
Aside from King Wally, Brett Kenny is argueably the greatest five eighth ever to play the game
6 Jul 2018 6:41pm
Should be an immortal..kept an immortal on the bench. Could play anywhere in the backs, wally lewis could only play at 6. Better than lockyer.
7 Aug 2018 6:05pm
Absolute champion player second to Wally Lewis as the best number 6 in the 80s. Somewhat unlucky not to get a nomination as an Immortal.
5 Oct 2018 10:03am
My favourite player of all time always spoken about his brilliant attack but in my opinion he was a great defence five eight with a copy book tackling style
10 Oct 2018 4:07pm
One of the best,if not the best..............
Speed,balance and timing..brilliant.
Brett and Wally Lewis the best to play for Australia in their positions.
11 Dec 2018 1:45pm
Brett Kenny in his prime is in my opinion the best big match player rugby league has seen. Without doubt Parramattas winning grand finals 1981 1982 1983 he was clearly the best player on the field.
If is also a champion off the field.
2 Apr 2019 1:07pm
Brett Kenny should already be a immortal everything he did in rugby league turned to gold.
25 Mar 2020 2:07pm
Best ever player in rugby league
17 Jun 2020 4:13am
A true champion. Always got the better of Wally Lewis
12 Sep 2021 7:35pm
One of the best Rugby League Players ever and. Top bloke
10 Oct 2021 6:22pm
Should already be a immortal
15 Oct 2021 11:14am
Brett kenny was definitely better then wally lewis look at his premierships and his club career with parramatta. His rep career was amazing especially when he played for nsw and he alway played better then wally lewis did for his state. I dont understand why brett kenny is not a immortal yet.
25 Oct 2021 8:36pm
The most brilliant player I saw play live and close up on those fantastic Sydney suburban grounds that are great for watching football, and I saw many standout players, but this guy was something special.
17 May 2022 4:45pm
Brett Kenny is still the greatest player I've ever seen. He should have been an Immortal by now. He was the embodiment of poetry in motion. By age 25 he had achieved it all - Played in 5 GF's, won 4 GF's. Won the Challenge Cup and Lance Todd trophy, first Australian player ever to do it. Won the Golden Boot for 1985, how he did not win it for the 1986 season I'll never know. Was retrospectively awarded the CCM for the 82 and 83 GF's. Went on two unbeaten Kangaroo tours displacing Wally Lewis in 82 and Mal Meninga in 86, both now Immortals. Played in every State of Origin match from the time he debuted until he stopped playing. NSW won both series where he was picked at five eighth for all three games. Ended up scoring over 100 tries for the Eels once his career finished.
20 Jun 2023 9:15pm
What a champion!The greatest 5/8 -centre to have ever played the game.He could play both positions at the highest level and could never be outclassed.The skill of this man was unbelievable. He played in the greatest of sides and always shone brightest.All hail the other king.Sir Brett Kenny.
13 Feb 2024 11:28am
Brett Kenny, the greatest Rugby League player, I have ever
seen, and I have seen plenty.
12 Oct 2025 4:56pm
Best player I have ever seen.
I was at Cumberland Oval at the end of the season when he was given the Rookie of the year award.
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