James Pickering (rugby league)

James Pickering (born 11 December 1966) is Fijian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, and coached in the 2000s. He represented Fiji and Auckland. He made his name during three wonderfully successful years at the English club Workington Town, where his performances were so impressive he is now in the club's Hall of Fame.

James Pickering

Personal information
Full name	James Pickering
Born	11 December 1966 Fiji
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Richmond Bulldogs 1994–95 Workington Town 1995–97 Canterbury-Bankstown 9 1 0 0 4 1998 Eastern Suburbs 14 0 0 0 0 1999 Castleford Tigers 20 0 0 0 0 2000 Canterbury-Bankstown 1 0 0 0 0 Total 44 1 0 0 4 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1991–92 Auckland 1992 Fiji
Source: [1]

Background

Pickering was born in Fiji, he was a pupil at Onehunga High School, Aukland, New Zealand.

Playing career

A Richmond junior, Pickering played for Auckland, and had a New Zealand national rugby league team trial in 1992 however was not selected.[2] He played for Fiji at the 1992 Pacific Cup.[3]

He made his first grade début for Workington Town in the 1992/93 English season in the old division 3 competition. He helped Town into second place behind Keighley Cougars, and to the final of the Divisional Premiership competition, when they were narrowly beaten by Featherstone Rovers, from the division above.

In 1993-94, Pickering was the driving force behind Workington Town doing the Division Two and Premiership double as they won the league in emphatic style, and beat London Crusaders at Old Trafford 30-22.

Back in the game's elite, Workington enjoyed an impressive 1994-95 campaign finishing ninth out of 16 and reaching the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup. Once again, Pickering was the side's shining light with even the finest prop forwards in the game struggling to come to terms with the Fijian's swashbuckling style of play.

He then spent three seasons with the Canterbury Bulldogs, playing in nine first grade matches before a horrid run of injuries practically ended his career.

Pickering then spent a season each at Sydney City and Castleford Tigers before returning to the Canterbury Bulldogs for the 2000 season.[4][5][6]

Later years

In 2006 Pickering was made the chairman of the Australian Fijian Rugby League.[7] As of 2011 he currently still serves in this position.[8]

In 2008, when Pickering was serving as the player-coach of the Australian Fijians side, he was inducted into the Workington Town hall of fame.[9]

Pickering has previously served as the Sydney Roosters under-20s coach and the Canterbury Bulldogs under-18s coach.[10]

References

1. RLP
2. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1992 New Zealand Rugby League, 1992. p.17
3. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. pp. 276–279. ISBN 9781869693312. ISBN 1-86969-331-0.
4. Team-by-team guide to the Super League The Independent, 5 March 1999
5. Smith treble sinks Mates The Mirror, 20 May 1999
6. "Men's Honour Roll". Sydney Roosters.
7. Pickering named chairman of Australian Fijian Rugby League rleague.com, 19 November 2006
8. AFRL Board members afrl.com.au
9. Weather has final word after Pickering's Fijians impress getnoticedonline.co.uk, 1 December 2008
10. Ex-Workington Ace James Pickering set to line up for Fijians against his old club Archived 27 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine News & Star, 29 November 2008