Nathan Fien

Background

Fien was born in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia.

Playing career

North Queensland

Fien was educated at Blackheath and Thornburgh College, Charters Towers and played his junior rugby league for Brothers in Mount Isa. In 2000, he made his debut with the North Queensland Cowboys, playing against the Penrith Panthers. In 2001, his form warranted selection to the Queensland side, where he came off the bench for one State of Origin match. In the 2004 NRL season, Fien played twenty-three games for North Queensland as the club reached the finals for the first time. They would defeat eventual premiers Canterbury in week one of the finals and go on to reach the preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters before losing 16–19 at Telstra Stadium.

New Zealand Warriors

After playing ninety-three games for North Queensland, Fien signed with the New Zealand Warriors from the season 2005 onwards. He later extended his contract until the end of 2009.

In 2008, he was told that he would not be required past the 2009 season at the Warriors and that they would consider releasing him at the end of the 2008 season. Fien initially turned down this offer, hoping that his form in the World Cup could earn him a contract extension. However, after the Huddersfield Giants failed to gain a work visa for Todd Carney they approached Fien with a large offer. In January 2009 Fien requested that the Warriors release him from his final season. This request was initially turned down by the Warriors due to the earlier release of Grant Rovelli, however on 30 June 2009 it was announced that Fien would transfer to the St. George Illawarra Dragons for the remainder of the season.

St. George Illawarra

In May 2009, after being dropped from first grade by the Warriors, Fien signed a three-year deal with the St. George Illawarra Dragons from 2010. On 30 June the Warriors agreed to release Fien from the rest of his contract, and he joined the Dragons for the second half of the 2009 season.

In the opening round of 2010, he suffered a serious ankle injury which kept him out until just before the finals. Upon his return, he provided attacking options to the team and proved an invaluable player throughout the end of the regular season and finals. He was in the 2010 premiership winning St. George Illawarra team and scored the final try of the 2010 NRL Grand Final, showcasing his dummy half skills. He was re-signed until the end of 2013.

He retired at the end of the 2013 season.

International career

Born in Australia, Fien claimed eligibility to play for New Zealand through a New Zealand-born grandmother, and played in two 2006 Tri-Nations matches. After these appearances it emerged that his New Zealand born relation was, in fact, a great-grandmother. Following this discovery the International Rugby League Board declared him ineligible to play for the Kiwis, and New Zealand was stripped of its 2 championship points they got from beating Great Britain. The issue was dubbed Grannygate by the media.

In August 2008, Fien was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup – now being eligible for New Zealand due to residency qualifications via his tenure at the Auckland-based Warriors – and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad. Fien played at halfback in the World Cup final, which was won by New Zealand.

He retired from international rugby league following the 2012 ANZAC Test.

Statistics

Coaching career

Dolphins

Fien is an assistant coach with the Dolphins since their inaugural 2023 season in the National Rugby League competition.

References

References

1. [http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=F&id=733 FIEN, NATHAN LEIGH 2006, 2008 – 2010 – KIWI #733] ''nzleague.co.nz''
2. (31 December 2017). "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project.
3. (30 September 2010). "Dragons hooker Nathan Fien recalls the inspirational talk that helped propel his career". The Daily Telegraph.
4. [http://www.rugbyleaguetoday.co.uk/marshall-scoops-golden-boot-award/ Marshall Scoops Golden Boot Award] {{webarchive. link. (23 April 2012 ''Rugby League Today'', 30 December 2010.)
5. "Roosters reach grand final". ABC News.
6. (24 November 2008). "League: Fien hoping World Cup form can help club future". [[Otago Daily Times]].
7. (20 January 2009). "Warriors confirm Fien staying in Auckland". [[One Sport]].
8. [http://www.nrl.com/NewsViews/LatestNews/NewsArticle/tabid/10874/newsId/55040/Nathan-Fien-to-become-a-Dragon/Default.aspx Nathan Fien to become a Dragon] ''AAP'', 26 May 2009
9. (1 July 2009). "NRL: Fien targets regular role with Dragons". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
10. (21 June 2011). "Nathan Fien to stay with St George Illawarra". [[The Press]].
11. (15 August 2013). "Dragons play-maker Nathan Fien will retire at the end of the NRL season after a 14-year career".
12. (14 November 2008). "Kearney opts for Fien at halfback". [[The Dominion Post (Wellington).
13. (8 August 2008). "Kiwis select Sonny Bill". Sky Sports.
14. (2008-10-07). "Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai". BBC.
15. [http://www.rleague.com/content/article.php?id=45449 "First Kiwis Train-On Squad Named"], rleague.com; retrieved 5 September 2012.