11 father-son duos who played for the same rugby league club: Sinfield, Lam, McNamara..
Kevin Sinfield and Jack Sinfield in action for Leeds Rhinos (left) with Steve McNamara and Ben McNamara (right) playing for Hull FC
They say it’s a small world in rugby league, and that’s evident by the number of fathers and sons who have ended up representing the same club – decades apart – during their careers.
We’d be here forever if we were listing the number of siblings who had played rugby league across the world: even the list of dads and lads is a pretty long one. So, to keep things short and snappy, we’ve picked out 11 active players who have represented the same club as their fathers at some stage in their careers.
Not even Johan and Jordi Cruyff can compete with a level of bloodline that exists when a father and son are both good enough to play elite-level rugby league (well, maybe they can, but you get our point).
Here are 11 examples of father-son duos who ended up representing the same rugby league club..
Kevin and Jack Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield is a bonafide Leeds Rhinos legend, having spent 19 seasons in blue and amber between 1997 and 2015, scoring 86 tries and kicking 1,792 goals in 521 appearances. The former Great Britain and England stalwart won a staggering six Super League titles, three World Club Challenge titles, three League Leaders’ Shields and two Challenge Cups with the Rhinos.
Jack, meanwhile, was born in 2004 and is now 19. Like his dad, he came through the ranks at Headingley and made his professional debut in 2022. Feel old yet?
Alex, Tiaki and Joe Chan
Former New Zealand international Alex Chan enjoyed a successful playing career in both hemispheres, having made the move to Catalans Dragons in 2008 from NRL side Melbourne Storm. He won three international caps for the Kiwis and represented the New Zealand Maori side in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
Alex’s sons Tiaki and Joe both came through the ranks at Catalans. France international Tiaki played 12 games for the Dragons before joining Wigan ahead of this season, whilst Joe made the move to his dad’s former club Melbourne ahead of last season.
Quentin and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e
Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e has played his club rugby in England since 2011! The former Samoa international has made well over 200 appearances for Sheffield Eagles whilst also enjoying time with Toronto Wolfpack, Halifax, Castleford Tigers, Newcastle Thunder and Keighley Cougars.
Meanwhile, Phoenix was born in Brisbane but moved to England when he was seven following his dad’s move to Sheffield. The pair made history in June 2021 when they played together for Keighley against West Wales Raiders, becoming the first father and son playing in a professional match since Brad and Tyla Hepi for Gloucestershire All Golds in 2013.
Jamie and Fletcher Rooney
Former England international Jamie Rooney played for eight clubs throughout his playing career, with his most memorable spells coming at Featherstone and Wakefield. However, he did have a very brief stint at Castleford in 2001..
And his son, Fletcher, has progressed through the academy ranks at Castleford, making his Super League debut against Leeds in 2023. The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract ahead of this season.
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Adrian and Lachlan Lam
Adrian spent seven seasons with Sydney Roosters before heading over to England with Wigan in 2001, playing four seasons in Super League with the Warriors. He represented Queensland in the State of Origin 14 times as well as winning 11 caps for his native Papua New Guinea.
And his son Lachlan came through the ranks at the Roosters, making 31 appearances in the NRL prior to his move to Leigh in 2022. Lachlan, also a Papua New Guinea international like his father, is now being coached by Adrian at Leigh!
John and Jed Cartwright
John Cartwright, the incoming Hull FC head coach, spent 11 seasons with Penrith Panthers between 1985 and 1996 before enjoying the final year of his career in Super League with Salford.
And his son Jed made his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2019 before going on to have spells with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights. He made the move to Hull earlier this season and will be coached by his father in 2025.
David and Liam Marshall
The older generation of Wigan fans will certainly know who David Marshall is, having represented his hometown club between 1987 and 1991, helping the Cherry and Whites win a Challenge Cup, Championship title, Regal Trophy and Lancashire Cup.
David’s son Liam was born in 1996 and progressed through the club’s youth system. Liam has scored 145 tries in 173 appearances for the Warriors since his debut in 2017, winning two Super League titles, two League Leaders’ Shields, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge title.
Wendell and Tristan Sailor
Wendell Sailor is a dual-code icon in Australia, having won 16 caps for the Kangaroos in rugby league and 37 caps for the Wallabies in rugby union. He also scored 110 tries in 189 games for Brisbane Broncos between 1993 and 2001, whilst spending the final two seasons of his career with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2008 and 2009.
And his son, Tristan Sailor, who has been linked with a move to Super League in 2025, has played for the two aforementioned NRL clubs his dad played for, with the utility back currently at the Broncos.
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Paul, Curtis and Bayley Sironen
Sironen racked up almost 250 appearances for Balmain Tigers between 1985 and 1998 before finishing his career with Villeneuve in the French domestic competition. He won 21 caps for Australia and made 14 appearances for New South Wales in the State of Origin arena.
And his sons, Curtis and Bayley, have both previously played for the club, now known as Wests Tigers. Curtis and Bayley are currently plying their trade in Super League with St Helens and Catalans respectively.
Preston and Jayden Campbell
Former Indigenous All Stars representative Preston Campbell played more than 250 games in the NRL for Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers and Gold Coast Titans between 1999 and 2011, being part of the inaugural Titans squad in 2007.
And his son Jayden, who was born in 2000, has came through the ranks at Gold Coast, making more than 50 appearances since his NRL debut in 2021.
Small world, eh?
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