Ben Kennedy

Hard-running Canberra second-row forward first represented NSW in 1999. Kennedy was the subject of much speculation that year – rumours that he was already heading to Newcastle surfaced before the June 30 deadline, (triggering threats of a poaching investigation), before he and team-mate Brandon Pearson were sent home from training after being involved in an alleged drug incident in a Canberra nightclub. Although the allegations could not be substantiated Kennedy seemed to cop the brunt of the club’s dissatisfaction with his departure and he withdrew from the final rounds of competition with an injury. Joining Newcastle in 2000, a succession of ankle and shoulder injuries affected Kennedy’s form late in the season. Although he represented NSW and Australia that year, his decision to delay surgery until the end of the season ultimately affected Newcastle’s run to the grand final and cost him a place in Australia’s victorious World Cup final team. Kennedy made every post a winner in 2001 despite being dropped from NSW’s interchange bench after the Blues’ loss in the opening State of Origin match. That act of rashness by NSW selectors only made Kennedy keener to succeed. In the grand final that year, his first half try broke the backs of the P’matta team and he was a standout choice for the Kangaroo Tour at year’s end. Kennedy’s ability to bust the line on the edge of the rucks and his rugged defence was seen to great affect in England where he played in each of the three Tests. After breaking his hand in the vital Second Test, he carried the injury into the Ashes-winning Third Test. Shoulder surgery kept him out of the Knights’ World Club Challenge in January 2002 before he made his return in the early rounds of the season. Subsequent injuries limited his rep appearances in 2002-04 and disrupted Newcastle’s premiership aspirations. Following his decision to sign with Manly for 2005 Kennedy played in just one Test (the 16-all with NZ in October ) before touring with the Kangaroos in 2004’s Tri Nations competition. In his two seasons with the Sea Eagles the club made the play-offs in both years (incredibly, Kennedy was named in Manly’s greatest ever team, spanning the last sixty years). He announced his rep retirement after playing in his final Test match – Australia’s 50-12 win over NZ in May 2006 – and retired from the game altogether at the end of the season.