Name Gary Freeman Role Rugby Player | Date joined 1992 | |
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Awards Dally M Award Player of the Year, Dally M Award Best Halfback | ||
Gary Ross Freeman, MNZM (born 4 December 1962 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. He was arguably one of New Zealand's greatest Test halfbacks and at the time of his retirement he was the most-capped New Zealand test player and also held the record for most consecutive tests for New Zealand with 37.
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He played for Kent Invicta RLFC (now defunct) at the start of the 1983-4 season. 9 appearances, 2 tries. Before moving on to Castleford
Playing career
Freeman was a Bay Roskill Vikings junior and played in New Zealand for the Northcote Tigers, then in Australia for the Balmain Tigers (playing in consecutive grand finals in 1988 and 1989), Eastern Suburbs Roosters, Penrith Panthers, and Parramatta Eels.
Representative career
Freeman played for the Kiwis from 1986-1995.
Coaching career
Freeman also coached New Zealand from 2001-02.
Later years
He was the co host of Fox Sports NRL coverage and panel member of NRL on FOX until 2011. He is now coach of the New South Wales young achievers team.
Awards and Legacy
Freeman is nicknamed "Wiz", short for Wizard.
In the 1997 New Year Honours, Freeman was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to rugby league.
In 2007 Freeman was inducted as one of the NZRL's Legends of League. He is an Auckland Rugby League Immortal.