Robbie O'Davis

Robbie O’Davis grew up Toowoomba playing his junior footy for Newtown Lions, and then for Valleys. He played first grade aged 16, alongside his father, Peter, a front row forward.

In 1991, O’Davis was recruited by Easts in Brisbane, after starring for Toowoomba Valleys in a trial against the Tigers.

He played centre for Easts and signed for Newcastle Knights at the end of the season.

O'Davis represented New South Wales Under 19s from the Knights in 1992, and made his first grade debut the same year.

Fatty (coach Paul Vautin) had us in ‘95 and that was amazing, they called us the ‘Nevilles’ because we were just a made-up team.

Robbie O'Davis FOG #83

He made his State of Origin debut in 1995, playing all three games at fullback, as Queensland achieved a series whitewash against the hotly favoured Blues.

That same year, he made his Test debut for Australia in the series against New Zealand.

He went on to play seven Tests, scoring six tries and was part of Australia's World Cup winning squad in England at the end of 1995. 

In 1997, O’Davis scored 13 tries for the Knights in 15 games, winning the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match, after scoring two tries in Newcastle's 22-16 victory over Manly in the ARL grand final. 

O’Davis won a second premiership with Newcastle in 2001, playing fullback in the 30-24 win over Parramatta in the NRL decider.

In 2002, O'Davis returned to the Origin arena after a two-year absence. He played nine of his 12 Origin matches at fullback, the other three on the wing.

O’Davis had registered 223 games for Newcastle when he finished at the club at the end of the 2004 season. He scored 403 points for the club, from 78 tries; 45 goals and one field goal.

O'Davis then played for Toronto in the Newcastle competition, and had stints in the bush, most recently turning out for Gloucester, in his mid-40s.

O'Davis has contested triathlons since his retirement from football, and has been a personal trainer and boot camp business owner.