Karyn Murphy
Halfback
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2024
- Date of Birth:
- 14 June 1970
- Birthplace:
- Brisbane, QLD
- Nickname:
- Murph
Career
Milestones
- Halfback or five-eighth, played 28 Tests for the Jillaroos 1998-2013, including 18 as captain
- Played World Cups in 2000, 2003, 2008 and 2013
- Toured Fiji in 1998 and New Zealand in 2007
- Captained Queensland in first women’s interstate match in 1999
- Captained Jillaroos to victory in 2013 World Cup final
- Savoured victory in eight of her last nine Tests
- NRLW grand final player of the match award named the Karyn Murphy Medal in her honour
Biography
Wally Lewis once described Karyn Murphy as one of the most talented players he'd ever seen following a performance that was rated a 10-out-of-10 by Rugby League Week.
Former team-mates refer to Murphy as the 'GOAT' (greatest of all time) of women's rugby league in Australia following an international career that spanned more than 15 years and included four World Cup campaigns.
A creative playmaker, Murphy played 27 Tests for Australia from 1998 until her retirement after leading the Jillaroos to their first World Cup win in 2013.
For most of period she was captain of Australia as the Jillaroos fought to overcome the domination of New Zealand, with the only other win against the Kiwi Ferns during Murphy’s career being in 1999.
In contrast, Murphy spearheaded a Queensland team that never lost an Interstate Challenge fixture against New South Wales for 17 years from 1999.
Along the way, Murphy helped to create a pathway for future generations of female players who now have the NRLW premiership, State of Origin and a full-blown World Cup.
The medal for the player of the match in the NRLW grand final is named in her honour.
A former police officer, Murphy joined the NRL Integrity Unit before leaving in 2023 to coach Gold Coast Titans.
Hall of Fame Members
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
