Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Reagan Campbell-Gillard (born 27 July 1993) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He has also represented both Fiji and Australia at international level.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Personal information
Full name	Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Born	(1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 30) Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
Height	193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	117 kg (18 st 6 lb)
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2015–19 Penrith Panthers 114 9 0 0 36 2020– Parramatta Eels 91 11 0 0 44 Total 205 20 0 0 80 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2014 Fiji 2 0 0 0 0 2015–16 NSW City 2 0 0 0 0 2015–18 Prime Minister's XIII 2 0 0 0 0 2017 World All Stars 1 0 0 0 0 2017–22 Australia 9 0 0 0 0 2018–23 New South Wales 3 0 0 0 0
Source: ^[1] As of 26 April 2024

He previously played for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. He has represented the NSW City Origin team, Prime Minister's XIII, World All Stars, New South Wales in State of Origin.

Background

Campbell-Gillard was born in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia and is of Fijian descent.^[2] The son of Warwick Gillard and Georgina Campbell, Campbell-Gillard commented that he never knew his father, saying "I don't speak to him. I haven't had a father my whole life."^[3] Raised in Mount Druitt, New South Wales by his single mother, a Fijian emigrant,^[4]

Campbell-Gillard played his junior rugby league for the Rooty Hill Dragons but gave up the sport, and instead played soccer and hockey during his early teens. He returned to rugby league playing for the Windsor Wolves at the suggestion of his Hills Sports High School-classmate Kieren Moss, and was subsequently recruited by the Penrith Panthers to play in their S. G. Ball Cup team.^[5][6]

Campbell-Gillard is the cousin of the Sims siblings; fellow Fijian internationals Ashton, Tariq and Korbin and dual-code women's rugby international Ruan.^[7]

Playing career

Early career

In 2012 and 2013, Campbell-Gillard played for the Penrith Panthers NYC team.^[8]

On 24 April 2013, he re-signed with the Penrith club on a three-year contract.^[9] On 27 August 2013, Campbell-Gillard was named on the interchange bench in the 2013 NYC Team of the Year.^[10] On 6 October 2013, Campbell-Gillard played in Penrith's Holden Cup Grand final against the New Zealand Warriors, starting at prop in the 42-30 victory.^[11]

On 13 October 2013, Campbell-Gillard played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Junior Kiwis, playing off the interchange bench in the 38-26 win at Jubilee Oval.^[12][13]

 

Campbell-Gillard playing for the Panthers in 2014

In 2014, he graduated to the Panthers' New South Wales Cup team. In 2014, Campbell-Gillard graduated to the Panthers New South Wales Cup team.

On 3 May 2014, Campbell-Gillard made his international debut for Fiji against Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International, playing off the interchange bench in the 32-16 loss at Penrith Stadium.^[14] On 19 October 2014, Campbell-Gillard would again play for Fiji against Lebanon in the 2014 Hayne/Mannah Cup, starting at prop in the 40-28 win at Shark Park.^[15]

2015

In January 2015, Campbell-Gillard was named in Penrith's 2015 NRL Auckland Nines squad.^[16]

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Campbell-Gillard made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, playing off the interchange bench in the 24-18 win at Penrith Stadium.^[17]

After playing in eight matches for the Penrith club, on 3 May 2015, Campbell-Gillard was selected to play for City Origin against Country Origin, playing off the interchange bench in the 34-22 loss in Wagga Wagga.^[18][19] On 9 June 2015, Campbell-Gillard re-signed with the Penrith club on a four-year contract.^[20]

In Round 23 against the New Zealand Warriors, Campbell-Gillard scored his first NRL career try in the 24-10 win at Penrith Stadium.^[21]

Campbell-Gillard finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in all of Penrith's 24 matches and scoring one try in the 2015 NRL season. On 26 September 2015, Campbell-Gillard played for the Prime Minister's XIII against Papua New Guinea, starting at prop in the 40-12 win in Port Moresby.^[22]

2016

On 8 May 2016, Campbell-Gillard again played for City Origin against Country Origin, starting at prop in the 44-30 win in Tamworth.^[23] In Round 25 against the Gold Coast Titans, Campbell-Gillard suffered a season ending back injury after he was hit by a late shoulder charge in the back by Ryan James during the Penrith club's 15-14 win at Robina Stadium.^[24] Campbell-Gillard had 2 vertebrae fractured and couldn't change out of his playing kit for 2 days due to the seriousness of the injury.^[25] Campbell-Gillard finished the 2016 NRL season playing in 20 matches and scoring two tries for the Penrith club.

2017

 

Campbell-Gillard playing for the Eels in 2021

On 10 February 2017, Campbell-Gillard returned from a broken back to represent his Fijian heritage while playing for the World All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars, starting at prop in the 34-8 loss at Hunter Stadium.^[26][27]

After showing great form at the front when the Penrith club climbed up the ladder in make it into the finals series after winning 11 from 13 matches, at the 2017 Dally M Awards night, Campbell-Gillard received with the inaugural Dally M Interchange Player of the Year award.^[28]

Campbell-Gillard finished his best season up to date with him playing in all of Penrith's 26 matches and scoring three tries in the 2017 NRL season. On 4 October 2017, Campbell-Gillard was awarded with the Merv Cartwright Medal as the Penrith Panthers Player of the Year.^[29] After he was originally going to play represent Fiji in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, on 5 October 2017, Campbell-Gillard received a well deserved call up into the Australia Kangaroos 24-man squad after the withdrawal of Andrew Fifita who switched over to play for Tonga.^[30][31][32] On 27 October 2017, Campbell-Gillard made his international debut for Australia against England, playing off the interchange bench in the 18-4 win at AAMI Park.^[33][34] Campbell-Gillard played in 5 matches in the tournament including playing off the interchange bench in the Kangaroos 6-0 gritty World Cup Final win over England at Suncorp Stadium.^[35][36]

2018

Campbell-Gillard started the 2018 NRL season in good form up front as the Penrith Panthers were holding into a spot in the top 4. Campbell-Gillard's efforts would reward him with selection in the New South Wales squad.^[37][38]

On 6 June 2018, Campbell-Gillard made his representative debut for New South Wales in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series against Queensland, starting at prop as the Blues won 22-12 at the MCG.^[39][40]

2019

On 14 September 2019, Campbell-Gillard was granted a release by Penrith to take up a five-year deal with the Parramatta Eels that would end in 2024. Campbell-Gillard later spoke of his move to Parramatta saying “I've known this club for nearly 10 years. You want to be a one-club man, but we're in a business that doesn't allow you for it, I'm nervous, excited, but sad at the same time, to move on, It was one of those years that I really want to forget, I really hated rugby league this year. It's just been a frustrating year.^[41]

2020

Campbell-Gillard made his debut for Parramatta in round 1 of the 2020 NRL season against arch rivals Canterbury-Bankstown. Parramatta would go on to win the match 8-2.^[42]

In round 11 against Wests Tigers, Campbell-Gillard scored his first try for Parramatta, a 50-metre solo effort in which he beat three Wests players on the way to the try line. Parramatta would go on to win the match 26-16 at Bankwest Stadium.^[43]

He made a total of 21 appearances for Parramatta in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished third but were eliminated from the finals in straight sets.^[44]

 

Campbell-Gillard warming up for the Kangaroos in 2022

2021

In round 10 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries for Parramatta in a 34-18 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.^[45]

In round 20, Campbell-Gillard was taken from the field during Parramatta's 28-0 loss against the Sydney Roosters. Campbell-Gillard was later ruled out for an indefinite period with a hamstring injury.^[46]

Campbell-Gillard played 20 games for Parramatta in the 2021 NRL season including both of the club's finals matches as they were eliminated from the competition at the semi-final stage for the third consecutive season.^[47][48]

In late October 2021, Campbell-Gillard announced he was not activating his player option making him a free agent in 2023. On 5 November, Campbell-Gillard re-signed with Parramatta until the end of 2025 worth up to $2.4 million.^[49]

2022

On 29 May, Campbell-Gillard was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.^[50]

On 19 June, Campbell-Gillard was not selected for game two of the series after New South Wales had lost the opening match 16-10.^[51]

In the 2022 preliminary final, Campbell-Gillard scored two tries for Parramatta in their 24-20 upset victory over North Queensland at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium as the club reached their first grand final since 2009.^[52]

Campbell-Gillard played at prop in Parramatta's 2022 NRL Grand Final loss to Penrith.^[53]

In October, Campbell-Gillard was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.^[54] Campbell-Gillard played for Australia in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup final where they defeated Samoa 30-10 to claim their 12th title.^[55]

2023

In round 8 of the 2023 NRL season, Campbell-Gillard was taken from the field during the second half after a tackle by Brisbane's Payne Haas. Despite two other players being sent to the sin bin during the game for similar tackles, Haas remained on the field.^[56] On 26 April, the Parramatta club announced Campbell-Gillard would be ruled out for at least two months with a high grade groin injury.^[57] On 3 July, Campbell-Gillard was selected by New South Wales for game 3 of the 2023 State of Origin series.^[58] During Parramatta's round 20 victory over the Gold Coast, Campbell-Gillard was placed on report and sin binned for a late tackle on Chris Randall where he fell over the top of the player with his knees hitting Randall in the back. Campbell-Gillard was later handed a four-match suspension over the incident.^[59] Campbell-Gillard played a total of 14 games for Parramatta in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.^[60]

References

1. "Reagan Campbell-Gillard". Rugby League Project.
2. Lutton, Phil (13 October 2017). "The pair of old school greats driving new Kangaroo Reagan Campbell-Gillard". The Sydney Morning Herald.
3. Nicolussi, Christian (13 March 2015). "Rookie Panthers enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard proud of his tough upbringing". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
4. Pengilly, Adam (1 May 2015). "Penrith's next Mount Druitt prodigy Reagan Campbell-Gillard keeping peace on and off field". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
5. Chammas, Michael (11 March 2015). "Why Penrith Panthers rookie Reagan Campbell-Gillard didn't play league for seven years". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
6. Jones, Matt (20 May 2017). "Playing in the NRL was not my plan: Campbell-Gillard". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
7. "Rookie Panthers enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard proud of his tough upbringing". NewsComAu. 13 March 2015.
8. . Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
9. . Penrithpanthers.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
10. "2013 Holden Cup Team of the Year". NRL.com. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
11. "Penrith Panthers seal thrilling 42-30 Holden Cup victory over New Zealand Warriors". NewsComAu. 6 October 2013.
12. "Junior Kangaroos team named". NRL.com. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
13. "Junior Kangaroos beat Kiwi counterparts". RNZ. 14 October 2013.
14. "Samoa beat Fiji to advance to Four Nations". National Rugby League. 3 May 2014.
15. "Fiji Outmuscle Lebanon in Hayne Mannah Cup". Parramatta Eels. 20 October 2014.
16. "2015 Auckland Nines squad lists". National Rugby League. 28 January 2015.
17. Chammas, Michael (11 March 2015). "Why Penrith Panthers rookie Reagan Campbell-Gillard didn't play league for seven years". The Sydney Morning Herald.
18. "Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
19. "Country overcome City in seesawing affair". National Rugby League. 3 May 2015.
20. "Reagan Campbell-Gillard signs new deal - Panthers". Penrithpanthers.com.au. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
21. Carayannis, Michael (15 August 2015). "New Zealand Warriors' season ends with barely a whimper in 24-10 loss to Penrith Panthers". The Sydney Morning Herald.
22. "Merrin to lead Prime Minister's XIII". NRL.com. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
23. Walter, Brad (8 May 2016). "Country Origin v City Origin: Cartwright emerges as Origin contender in 44-30 City win". The Sydney Morning Herald.
24. "Campbell-Gillard in hospital with broken back". National Rugby League. 27 August 2016.
25. "Dailytelegraph.com.au | Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph for exclusive stories". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
26. Ryan, Nathan (7 February 2017). "Penrith Panthers forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard returns from broken back in All Stars game". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
27. Crawley, Paul (10 February 2017). "Indigenous All Stars too hot to handle". Daily Telegraph.
28. Proszenko, Adrian (28 September 2017). "Dally M Medal: Cameron Smith takes game's top honour as Melbourne storm scoop awards". The Sydney Morning Herald.
29. Dodds, Troy (4 October 2017). "Campbell-Gillard wins Merv Cartwright Medal".
30. "Campbell-Gillard called into Kangaroos squad". National Rugby League. 4 October 2017.
31. Mascord, Steve (12 October 2017). "Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Bati might 'try to kill me' after Kangaroos call". The Sydney Morning Herald.
32. Lutton, Phil (13 October 2017). "The pair of old school greats driving new Kangaroo Reagan Campbell-Gillard". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
33. Hytner, Mike (27 October 2017). "Australia beat England 18-4 in Rugby League World Cup opener – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
34. "Kangaroos debutant Reagan Campbell-Gillard gets the better of his nerves in maiden Test". NewsComAu. 3 November 2017.
35. "Dailytelegraph.com.au | Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph for exclusive stories". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
36. Pengilly, Adam (2 December 2017). "Rugby League World Cup 2017: Australia scrape out 6-0 victory in final against Wayne Bennett-inspired England". The Sydney Morning Herald.
37. Nicolussi, Christian (5 June 2018). "Campbell-Gillard hoping for first time to remember". The Sydney Morning Herald.
38. "Couriermail.com.au | Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories". www.couriermail.com.au.
39. "Blues player ratings: Rookies shine on big stage". National Rugby League. 6 June 2018.
40. "NSW defeats Queensland in State of Origin series opener". NewsComAu. 6 June 2018.
41. "'I hated league this year': Home-grown star opens up on painful Penrith exit". News.com.au.
42. "Live NRL: After 65 minutes we FINALLY have a try — Eels rookie breaks deadlock". Fox Sports. 12 March 2020.
43. "Parramatta Eels beat Wests Tigers". www.abc.net.au.
44. "Parramatta Eels farewell 11 players in mass exodus following disappointing finals exit". www.sportingnews.com.
45. "Penrith, Parramatta and Melbourne — all score wins on final day of Magic Round". www.abc.net.au.
46. "Knights' carnage as Best taken to hospital, Hunt KO'd by Bronco's shoulder: Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
47. "Parramatta Eels defeat Newcastle Knights 28-20 in NRL elimination final". www.abc.net.au.
48. "Penrith Panthers handed NRL breach notice, fined $25,000 after incident in Parramatta semi-final". www.abc.net.au.
49. "Hoops: Eels ward off Dolphins raid with RCG inking $2.4 million extension". Fox Sports. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
50. "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com.
51. "13-game veteran recalled, Eels pair pay the price: Blues Origin II Winners and Losers". www.foxsports.com.au.
52. "'See it in their eyes': The late-season pact and 'massive sacrifice' behind Eels surge". www.foxsports.com.au.
53. "NRL Grand Final as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
54. Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
55. "Australia 30-10 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
56. "'Damage done early' by Broncos stars as Eels urged to 'harden up': Big hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
57. "How long is Reagan Campbell-Gillard out? Groin injury timeline, return date and latest news on Parramatta prop". www.sportingnews.com.
58. "'That is rude': Brandy fumes at 'disrespectful' call amid fiery Blues Origin III selection grilling". www.foxsports.co.au.
59. "Judiciary Update: Sivo & Campbell-Gillard". www.parraeels.com.au.
60. "NRL 2023: Parramatta Eels season review". www.sportingnews.com.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

• Penrith Panthers profile
• 2017 RLWC profile