Bryan Niebling (born 18 July 1960) is an Australian former professional
rugby league
Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...
footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Niebling played in the
forwards. After a successful
Brisbane Rugby League premiership
The Brisbane Rugby League is a rugby league football competition in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was first held in 1922 and for every year until 1997. The competition was reinstated in 2001, known as the FOGS premiership under the Quee ...
, and representative career for both his state and country, Niebling played in the
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia and contributor to today's National Rugby League. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League (initially named the New Sout ...
for the
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club Ltd., commonly referred to as the Broncos, is an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Brisbane, Queensland. Founded in April 1987, the Broncos play in Australia's elite com ...
from their first ever game.
Playing career
Nicknamed 'Horse', Niebling was a constant thorn in the side of
New South Wales
)
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, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
forwards during the titanic
State of Origin
A State of Origin competition is a type of sporting event between players representing their state or territory. State of Origin began in Australian rules football on 8 October 1977 between Western Australia (WA) and Victoria, at Subiaco Ov ...
clashes of the early 1980s. His career in the State of Origin arena saw him make 9 appearances while playing for
Brisbane Valleys and
Redcliffe.
Niebling made his Test début in the
second row against
Great Britain
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It is ...
in 1984, and ultimately played in all three matches of Australia's
Ashes whitewash.
Named Redcliffe's player of the season and co-winner of the
Brisbane Rugby League premiership
The Brisbane Rugby League is a rugby league football competition in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was first held in 1922 and for every year until 1997. The competition was reinstated in 2001, known as the FOGS premiership under the Quee ...
's
Rothmans Medal
The Rothmans Medal was the premier individual award in the New South Wales Rugby League and Brisbane Rugby League competitions, and later in the Australian Rugby League, which was given to the player voted by referees as the best and fairest ...
in 1986, Niebling toured with the unbeaten Kangaroos and played in 10 matches including all five Tests. The last of Niebling's 13 Test appearances was in Australia's 13-6 loss to
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
at
Lang Park
Lang Park, also known as Brisbane Football Stadium, by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, and nicknamed: 'The Cauldron', is a multi-purpose stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located in the suburb of Milton. The current facility co ...
in 1987. He played in Redcliffe's Grand Final loss in 1987 as well.
By the time the Broncos had entered the
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia and contributor to today's National Rugby League. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League (initially named the New Sout ...
in
1988
File:1988 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The oil platform Piper Alpha explodes and collapses in the North Sea, killing 165 workers; The USS Vincennes (CG-49) mistakenly shoots down Iran Air Flight 655; Australia celebrates its Australian ...
, his career was winding down because of injury. He later played for
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, that competes in the Super League, the top tier of British rugby league. The club has won five league championships, and one Challeng ...
in 1989-91.
References
External links
Player Details at stateoforigin.com.auPlayer Profile at yesterdayshero.com.au
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niebling, Bryan
1960 births
Living people
Australia national rugby league team players
Australian rugby league players
Brisbane Broncos players
Brisbane rugby league team players
Fortitude Valley Diehards players
Hull Kingston Rovers players
Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players
Redcliffe Dolphins players
Rugby league second-rows
Rugby league players from Queensland
Rugby league props