Quick Facts
Biography
Owen George "Noddy" Stephens (born 9 January 1947) is a former New Zealand rugby union and professional rugby league footballer. He has the distinction of being one of only three players to have played international rugby union for both New Zealand and Australia.
Early life and family
Stephens was born in Paeroa in 1947 and educated at Tauranga Boys' College. His father, Mortimer Stephens, had played rugby league in the 1930s for Auckland, St. Helens, Rochdale Hornets, and Bradford Northern.
Rugby career
He left New Zealand in 1970 and switched codes from rugby union to rugby league, but he was reinstated back into rugby union while in Australia. However, he later changed codes again to play rugby league.
Rugby union
A wing, Stephens played for Bay of Plenty and Wellington at a provincial level in New Zealand, and for the Athletic Rugby Club in Wellington. In Australia he played at club level for St. George, and represented New South Wales.
He won a single cap for New Zealand, playing in the All Blacks' 19–12 victory over France at Eden Park, Auckland on 10 August 1968, and won five caps for Australia, playing against Tonga and Wales in 1973 and New Zealand in 1974. Only three players have played rugby union at test match level for both New Zealand and Australia: namely Des Connor, Ted Jessep and Stephens.
Rugby league
He played club level rugby league for St. George Dragons (trial), Parramatta Eels (twice), and Wakefield Trinity, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5.