Kenny Edwards

Kenny Edwards (born 13 September 1989) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League. He plays at lock and second-row.

Born in Levin, New Zealand, Edwards is of Māori and Cook Island descent and played his junior football for the Levin Knights and the Pukekohe Pythons, before being signed by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

As a youngster, Edwards played for the Junior Kiwis.

In 2007, Edwards played for the Australian Schoolboys.

In 2008, Edwards played for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles' NYC team, however his contract was terminated at the start of 2009 due to disciplinary reasons.

He instead joined the St. George Illawarra Dragons for the 2009 season, again playing in the NYC competition. Later on, he had his contract terminated once again for disciplinary reasons which forced him to sit out the 2011 season.

In 2012 Edwards joined the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition. After acting as a trainer in one of the Tigers' under-17s matches, Edwards was accused of repeatedly inciting his team to fight their opponents. He was subsequently banned for the rest of the season, but had the charges downgraded on appeal and was allowed to play for Southport in the final series.

Edwards joined the Parramatta Eels on a one-year contract for the 2013 season. On 25 July 2013, the contract was extended for another two seasons. He then made his NRL debut for the Eels during round 26 of the 2013 NRL season.

On 22 September 2013, Edwards was named at second-row in the 2013 New South Wales Cup team of the year.

In October 2014, Edwards was named in the New Zealand Māori squad to play the Queensland Murri team.

On 5 June 2014, Edwards again extended his contract with the Eels, signing until the end of 2017.

Edwards is the cousin of North Queensland Cowboys player James Tamou.