Steve Roach (rugby league)
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Full name | Stephen David Roach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia | 24 April 1962|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 16 st 12 lb (107 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Prop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] |
Stephen David Roach (born 24 April 1962), nicknamed Blocker or Blocker Roach, is an Australian former professional rugby league who played as a prop forward in the 1980s and early 1990s. His most famous catchphrase is "Big Boppa".[citation needed]
He made thirty-nine representative appearances for the Australian national team in Tests, World Cup and New South Wales State of Origin matches between 1985 and 1991.[1] His football career was followed by a period as a commentator.
Background
Roach was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Club career
Roach played his early rugby league for
In the 1989 club season his combination with Paul Sironen, Benny Elias and Wayne Pearce was one of the strongest packs in club rugby league history and the side dominated opposing forwards. In the 1989 Grand Final, after having led Canberra 12 points to 2 at half-time, the Tigers were run down. Roach and Sironen were replaced by coach Warren Ryan late in the 2nd half and when the game ultimately went into extra time they were unable to return and with their strikepower gone in the added period Canberra were able to overpower Balmain 19–14. In 1991 his club form showed some decline but he again managed national selection and his experience was vital to the improvement of a side needing reorganisation after they suffered a shocking start to the club season. After an ankle injury in 1991 he was also troubled by a knee injury in 1992 which would prove to be his last club season. [citation needed]
Representative career
State representative honours first came his way in 1984 when he was called into the
In 1985, Roach became the 562nd player to represent Australia
Citations and despatches to the sin-bin in the 1989 club season may have contributed to his omission by State selectors from the Blues squad of that year however powerful club performances with his fellow representative Balmain forwards made him a certainty for the 1989 New Zealand tour where he played in all three Tests. On the
Blocker was dropped after the Australian's shock 24–8 loss to NZ in the Melbourne test but was chosen for the end of season tour of Papua New Guinea.. However, Roach suffered a broken ankle in the first match of the tour which would prove to be his last appearance in any game for the Kangaroos
Playing style
In a game in 1990 against Manly at Brookvale Oval, he received a four-week suspension for backchatting the referee Eddie Ward, whom Roach patronisingly patted on the head after he was ordered from the field. Coming into physical contact with a referee is regarded as a serious offence and Roach was considered fortunate that no further action was taken, especially considering Roach had also verbally abused the touch judge on his way off the field, calling him a “(expletive) wombat".[5][6]
Post-playing life
By the end of the
On 23 June 2000, Roach was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in rugby league.[7]
In February 2008, Steve Roach was named in the list of Australia's
In 2011 Roach joined
In 2014, Roach was sacked by 2GB after a staff member filed a bullying complaint against him.[11]
In 2016 he made a comeback to the Rugby League commentary box signing on with Fox Sports.
In 2018, Roach revealed that his nickname 'Blocker' actually came from his time employed as a Licensed Plumber where it was remarked by his colleagues that he would 'block' pipes that would subsequently require plumbing works to be conducted.
In 2019, he appeared regularly on Fox Sports panel show, 'Controversy Corner', as well as commentating for the network.
References
- ^ a b "Steve Roach – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ISBN 9780733627743.
- Australian Rugby League. Archived from the originalon 19 May 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
- ^ Deane, Steve (23 October 2009). "Top 10 moments in Kiwi league". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
- ^ Human Tripod (7 June 2012). Manly v Balmain Rd 16 1990 2nd Half Highlights. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ Grams, Jacob (23 July 2014). "Former NRL, State of Origin and Test referee Eddie Ward says attitudes towards sporting officials needs to improve". Quest News. The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
- ^ "Award Extract". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Cassidy, Peter (23 February 2008). "Controversy reigns as NRL releases top 100 players". LiveNews. Macquarie National News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ "The Players". Centenary of Rugby League. National Rugby League; Australian Rugby League. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ "Steve Roach". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
- ^ Barrett, Chris (28 August 2014). "Steve Roach sacked by 2GB over staff bullying complaint". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
Sources
- Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen; The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players (3rd ed); published 1998, Gary Allen Pty. Ltd.
- Roach, Steve with Ray Chesterton; Doing My Block; published 1992, Ironbark Press.
- Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League Austn Broadcasting Corpn, Sydney
Further reading
- Over to you Blocker: Steve Roach looks at league from the inside. Swan Publishing. 1995. ISBN 9780646219134.