Quick Facts
Biography
Brett Morris (born 23 August 1986) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative, Morris primarily plays on the wing and at fullback. Morris is the son of St. George Dragons, New South Wales and Australian rugby league representative Steve Morris, and twin brother of Josh Morris who also plays in the NRL for the Bulldogs and is a state and national representative. Morris previously played for the St George Illawarra Dragons between 2006-2014 with whom he won the 2010 NRL Premiership.
Background
Born in Kiama, New South Wales, Morris played his junior rugby league with the Kiama Knights alongside his twin brother Josh Morris before being signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons. Morris has stated he was first inspired to play Rugby League after seeing Chinese kids at the park throwing a rugby ball around.
Playing career
2006
In Round 9 of the 2006 NRL season, Morris made his NRL debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on the wing in the Dragons 30-12 loss at Remondis Stadium. In Round 15 against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Morris scored his first NRL career try in the 79th minute off a Mathew Head kick. Morris finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 12 tries for the Dragons in the 2006 NRL season.
2007
In Round 4 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Morris played his first match of the season and his first match alongside his twin brother Josh Morris in the Dragons 40-4 loss at Remondis Stadium. In Round 7 against the Sydney Roosters in the ANZAC Day match, Morris suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the Dragons 18-4 loss at SFS. Morris played in 2 matches for the Dragons in the 2007 NRL season.
2008
Morris made his return to the Dragons first grade team in Round 1 against the Wests Tigers at SFS in the Dragons 24-16 loss. In Round 7 on the ANZAC Day match against the Sydney Roosters, Brett and his twin Josh scored tries in the same match together in the Dragons 26-6 win at SFS. Morris finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing in 16 matches and scoring 8 tries for the Dragons.
2009
Morris had an outstanding 2009 NRL season for the Dragons including scoring 4 tries in Round 9 against the North Queensland Cowboys in the Dragons 24-20 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium, A hatrick in Round 11 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the Dragons 26-4 win at Remondis Stadium, and another hatrick in Round 26 against the Parramatta Eels in the Dragons 37-0 win at Jubilee Stadium. Morris was named Dally M highest tryscorer of the year with 25 tries in 24 matches. Morris was selected to play international rugby league for Australia in the 2009 Four Nations tournament. Morris crossed six times to finish the tournament as top try-scorer in 4 matches including scoring 2 tries in Australia's 46-16 Four Nations Final win over England at Elland Road. Morris re-signed with the Dragons until the end of 2012 said after his re-signing: "I enjoy living in Wollongong, it is where my family and friends are and the Dragons are the team I grew up supporting so I'm very happy to be staying."
2010
Morris kept up his try-scoring form early in the season, scoring a hatrick in Round 2 against his twin brother’s team the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at WIN Stadium in the Dragons 26-6 win. Morris was selected for Australia in the 2010 Anzac Test against New Zealand on the wing at AAMI Park, scoring both of Australia's tries in the 12-8 win. Morris made his debut for New South Wales in the 2010 State of Origin series in Game 1 on the wing in the Blues 28-24 loss at ANZ Stadium, Morris played all three matches of the series in the NSW 3-0 whitewash series loss. Later on the season, Morris played on the wing in 2010 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters, helping the Dragons to their first premiership as a joint venture in their 32-8 win. Morris finished the 2010 NRL season as the Dragons highest tryscorer with 20 tries in 25 matches. Morris was later selected for Australia 2010 Four Nations squad playing in 4 matches and scoring 3 tries in the tournament including playing on the wing in the Kangaroos 16-12 Four Nations Final loss against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
2011
On 12 February 2011, Morris was selected to play for the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars on the wing, scoring a try in the 28-12 win at Robina Stadium. In the 2011 World Club Challenge match against Super League premiers the Wigan Warriors, Morris was named man-of-the-match after scoring two tries in the Dragons 21-15 victory at DW Stadium. In the 2011 Anzac Test, Morris played on the wing in Australia's 20-10 win over New Zealand at Robina Stadium. Morris played in 2 matches for New South Wales in the Blues 2-1 losing 2011 State of Origin series. In Round 20 against the Canberra Raiders, Morris played his 100th NRL match with him scoring a try in the Dragons 24-19 loss at Canberra Stadium. Morris finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 10 tries for the Dragons.
2012
On 21 February 2012, Morris re-signed with the Dragons for a further 3 years till the end of the 2015 season. For the 2012 NRL season, from the Dragons 36-12 win against the Wests Tigers at Jubilee Oval in Round 3, Morris was shifted from his usual position on the wing to fullback by coach Steve Price. Morris played at fullback for NSW Country Origin in the 24-22 loss to NSW City in Mudgee. Morris played a match for the New South Wales in the 2012 State of Origin series, playing in Game 3 on the wing and scoring a try in the Blues 21-20 loss at Suncorp Stadium. Morris finished the 2012 NRL season as the Dragons highest tryscorer with 14 tries in 23 matches.
2013
Morris played for Australia on the wing and scored a try in the 2013 Anzac Test 32-12 victory against New Zealand at Canberra Stadium. Morris played in all of the New South Wales 3 matches and scored a try in the Blues losing 2-1 in the 2013 State of Origin series. In Round 25 against the Parramatta Eels, Morris played his 150th NRL career match in the Dragons 26-22 loss at Parramatta Stadium. Morris finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing 21 matches and scoring 9 tries for the Dragons. Morris was selected for the Australia Kangaroos 24-man squad for the 2013 World Cup. Morris played in 5 matches and scored 8 tries which including scoring 4 tries against the USA Tomahawks in the Kangaroos' 62-0 win at Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, Wales, and 2 tries in the World Cup final against New Zealand in the Kangaroos 34-2 win at Old Trafford.
2014
In February 2014, Morris was selected as captain of the Dragons inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad. In the 2014 Anzac Test, Morris played for Australia on the wing and scored 2 tries in the 30-18 victory against New Zealand at SFS. During Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series, Morris dislocated his shoulder while scoring a try in New South Wales 12-8 win at Suncorp Stadium, and continued playing on during the match with him later finding out he also suffered a broken bone and ligament damage. Morris was ruled for the other two 2014 Origin matches. In Round 22 against the Canberra Raiders, after Dragons captain Ben Creagh was ruled out with injury, Morris took over captaincy and had a brilliant match, scoring a hatrick to help the Dragons break their 14-year hoodoo in Canberra - the first time the Dragons won in Canberra since Round 14 in the 2000 NRL season. Morris finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches and scoring 14 tries for the Dragons. On 9 September 2014, Morris was selected for the Australia Kangaroos 2014 Four Nations train-on squad but was later ruled out from the final 24 man squad with injury. On 23 October 2014, Brett Morris reunited with twin brother Josh Morris at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, signing on a four-year contract, through until the end of 2018.
2015
In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season against the Penrith Panthers, Morris made his club debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at fullback, scoring a try in the Bulldogs 24-18 loss at Penrith Stadium. In Round 5 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he injured his hamstring in a man-of-the-match performance in the Bulldogs' controversial 18-17 loss at ANZ Stadium. He missed 7 rounds, before returning in Round 13 against his former club the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the Bulldogs 29-16 win at ANZ Stadium. Morris played in Game 2 and Game 3 for New South Wales on the wing in the Blues 2-1 losing 2015 State of Origin series. Morris finished his first year with the Bulldogs with him playing in 16 matches and scoring 9 tries in the 2015 NRL season.
2016
In 2016, Morris was ruled out for four months with a knee injury. He made his return in round 16, scoring a hat trick against the Brisbane Broncos, followed by doubles in rounds 17 and 18 for 7 tries in his first 3 games of the season. He finished the season with a total of 10 tries from 11 games.