Danny McGuire Name
Danny McGuire
Position
Stand Off
Date of Birth
12/06/1982
Place of Birth
Leeds
Previous Club
East Leeds ARLFC
Weight Height Honours Debut
v Salford 06/07/2001
Leeds Career :
Danny signed for the Rhinos from local team East Leeds ARLFC and quickly gained a reputation as one of the most exciting players in British rugby league. It was in the Rhinos Academy that Danny began to show signs of his amazing ability, forming a devastating partnership with Rob Burrow and by 2002 he had earned a place in the Rhinos full time squad. His Rhinos debut came against Salford in front of a home crowd, replacing Iestyn Harris, and from here the young stand-off has not looked back, with the epitome of his achievements to date coming in the Rhinos successful 2004 season. In the year that the team ended a 32 year wait for the Championship Danny was one of the sides outstanding performers, becoming the Rhinos top try scorer with 39 tries in all competitions and being the first Leeds player in almost half a century to score five tries in a match when the Rhinos beat Widnes. He was rewarded for his achievements when he was named Rugby League Writers Association Player of the Year as well as being included in the Tetley’s Super League Dream Team after narrowly missing out on being Super Leagues highest scorer by just one try to Bradford’s Lesley Vainikolo. Not only has Danny proved he is a prolific try scorer he has also delighted Leeds fans on several occasions, with some spectacular tries. Some of the memorable highlights being two against St Helens in the 2003 Challenge Cup Semi Final, when he first of all set up extra time and then won the game off the bench, the winning try in the 2004 Super League Grand Final and the opening try in the Carnegie World Club Challenge win over Canterbury. In 2005 he scored 23 tries in 27 appearances, 12 off the bench, despite being restricted through injury at the start of the season.
2006 season saw Danny back to his blistering best, with 12 tries in the opening 7 games. He continued to lead the way for the Rhinos and looked like he was heading for the title of Super League’s highest try scorer, just to be piped once again as he was in 2004. His total of 27 would surely have been higher had he not missed part of the campaign once again through injury.
In 2007 he scored 17 tries and became one of eight players to have played in both of the Rhinos Grand Final wins.Rugby Career :
Danny has appeared for the England Academy, England U21 and England A. Danny was the star of the England Academy tour to New Zealand and Australia during the summer of 2001 and also went to South Africa with England Under 21 at the end of the season.
He has developed from there and played for England A in the 2003 European Nations and tour game against Australia. The game against the Kangaroos at Brentford saw McGuire catapulted to national acclaim and in 2004 he was recognised by the Great Britain selectors and was part of the Tri Nations squad. He was introduced as a substitute in the opening game against Australia, but was then given a starting place against New Zealand and his stepping run set up a crucial try for Stuart Reardon to help give Great Britain the 22-12 victory. In the final however Danny was again left on the bench for the start of the game and when he was brought on his side were already losing 26-0. He missed the 2005 Tri Nations with injury but made a comeback to the team in the XXXX Test against New Zealand when he scored two tries in the Lions 46-14 win. He was then named in the squad for the Tri Nations in Australia and scored a try in the sides final match of the tournament against Australia.
In 2007 he won a further four caps and helped the side to a series whitewash over New Zealand.Personal Details :
If Danny had not become a professional rugby league player he would have liked to have been a professional cricketer, his childhood hero was former Leeds legend Garry Schofield and he lists his favourite music likes as house and rap.To return to the main squad profiles page click here.
