While scouring the opening round NRL teams and news to inform my picks for the myriad of league tipping competitions available this time of year, I couldn’t help but notice another example of a little cited player phenomenon in the game: the name change.
Despite earning every rugby league talent scout’s favourite moniker “the next Sonny Bill Williams”, I notice Karlos Filiga was named in the centres for the Shark’s Toyota Cup side. This is despite being known in the Bulldogs junior system as Karl McNichol.
Now Karl appears to have had good family related reasons for changing his name, but it got me thinking as to what is behind some of the other obscure name changes throughout the recent history of the game?
Does the name Jackson Kaufusi ring a bell? If not, perhaps that’s because he’s also been known as Lipina Kaufusi and Makasini Richter throughout his career with the Bulldogs and Wests.
Now having grown up playing the game in Sydney, I know the Polynesian community hasn’t sometimes in the past been fond of a birth certificate, but three name changes? Perhaps it was the flying winger’s way of putting a bad season behind him.
Let’s also not forget the booming Raiders, Magpies, Roosters and Souths centre Brandon Pearson, whose name change to Brandon Costin perhaps had something to do with avoiding the notoriety of drug allegations.
Another notable mention is former Broncos, Western Reds and Souths journeyman Julian O’Neill, who despite being known generally for all the wrong reasons in league circles and beyond (just ask Jeremy Schloss), he had the audacity to join English Super League where someone shared his exact name. Hence Jules O’Neill was born.
And then there’s the name change record of those with the unfortunate pleasure of having the last name Hunt. Step forward Michael De Vere.
Anyone else with a good name change story?
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The Cougar
Guest
John Ribot de Bressac? Is that serious? If so, hilarious! That sounds like a French aristocratic name - as far from rugby league connections as one could imagine. Nice pick-up Scott. I saw last night that there's a player on the bench for the Wellington Hurricanes - Jeremy Thrush. Is he a red-head? Is he irritating to be around? So many questions...
The Answer
Guest
Scott, I notice that former Warriors and Sharks hooker Tevita Latu is running around for the Wakefield Wildcats as Tevita Leo-Latu. Again, another one who found another handle when some assault charges cropped up. I enjoy watching the English Super League it doubles as an episode of "I thouight you were dead!"
Scott Vincent
Guest
The Answer - perhaps Nick may need another name change to get him out of consistently playing reggies for Manly. Good point on name changes, whether it be change in location name despite not moving (Tigers, Dogs and Roosters to Sydney, Warriors to New Zealand (from Auckland), Reds to Perth (from the vauge Western)), taking location out of the name entirely (Bulldogs and Sharks) or changing mascot / name (Gold Coast Giants, Seagulls, Chargers and Titans) most have been done to kneel at shrine of the marketing dollar with varying degrees of success. Another interesting one is team nicknames. Nothing stirs the passions like referring to the Silvertails, the Fibros, the Boys from Bondi, the Blue Baggers etc... My favourite Union tag is the Gay Gordoners. Still can't work out why that one fell out of fashion, I thought it was quite an accurate description
The Answer
Guest
Good article Scott. I remember the Tigers winger Nick Bradley-Qalilawa going through his entire junior career from under 8's on as Nick Bradley, only to find another surname once he cracked the big time. The opposite way to John Ribot de Bressac who dropped his second half..then became "Reebs" Not sure if he added it back when he took over the Queensland Roar. Will Craig Gower change his when he gets the nod for Italy? But what about clubs changing their names? Fair dinkum, remember the madness of everyone becoming the Sydney... in the belief it would add millions to the bottom line. What were they teaching in marketing in those days....