EDDY PETTYBOURNE – KIWI #759

Christchurch-born forward Eddy Pettybourne was part of the Kiwis’ 2009 Four Nations campaign.

Moving to Sydney at a young, Pettybourne attended Marcellin College Randwick and came through the ranks at Mascot Jets in Souths Juniors, attaining Australian Schoolboys selection in 2005.

He made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs as a 19-year-old with a solitary appearance in 2007, gradually earning a regular bench spot and, by the end of 2009, a starting second-row role.

Following injuries to fellow engine-room tyros Ben Matulino and Bronson Harrison, Pettybourne – who pledged his international allegiance to his country of birth – was named in New Zealand’s squad for the inaugural Four Nations. Although he did not play a match during the tournament, he was classified as a fully-fledged Kiwis international, as per the NZRL’s rules at the time.

Pettybourne played 91 first-grade games for South Sydney – culminating in three finals appearances for the emerging heavyweight in 2012 – before linking with Wests Tigers for a one-season stint. After representing Samoa against Tonga midyear and USA at the World Cup in 2013, the bruising impact forward spent the following season at Wigan, where he featured in the club’s Super League Grand Final loss to St Helens.

The 27-year-old linked with Gold Coast in 2015 and spent three seasons with the Titans, taking his NRL appearance tally to 137 and competing in another World Cup with USA in 2017.

Pettybourne subsequently became something of a rugby league nomad, spending time at Toulouse Olympique, Vileneuve XIII, Brooklyn Kings, Red Star Belgrade and Limoux Grizzlies.

EDDY PETTYBOURNE
NEW ZEALAND (2009)
0 Tests