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James Bell (rugby league)

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James Bell
Personal information
Full nameJames Temuera Te Manawanui Bell
Born (1994-05-02) 2 May 1994 (age 30)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 4 lb (97 kg)
Playing information
PositionLoose forward, Second-row, Hooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017–18 New Zealand Warriors 2 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Toulouse Olympique 26 9 0 0 36
2021 Leigh Centurions 20 1 0 0 4
2022– St Helens 67 9 0 0 36
2022(loan) → Leigh Centurions 2 0 0 0 0
Total 117 19 0 0 76
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– Scotland 9 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2]
As of 30 October 2022

James Temuera Te Manawanui Bell (born 2 May 1994) is a Scotland international rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward and second-rower for St Helens in the Super League.

He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, the Leigh Centurions in the Super League, and Leigh and Toulouse Olympique in the Championship.

Background

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Bell was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Scottish[3] and Māori descent.

He played his junior rugby league for the Papakura Sea Eagles, before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors.

Playing career

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Early career

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In 2014, Bell played for the New Zealand Warriors' NYC team.[4] In October 2014, he played in the Warriors' 2014 NYC Grand Final win over the Brisbane Broncos.[5] In 2015, he graduated to the Warriors' New South Wales Cup team and in 2016 he was named the side's man of the year.[6][7] Also in 2016, he captained the New Zealand Māori rugby league team.[8]

2017

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Bell played in the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.

After making over 50 appearances with the Warriors' reserve team, Bell made his NRL debut for the Warriors against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in round 21 of the 2017 NRL season.[9][10]

Leigh Centurions

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On 5 November 2020 it was announced that Bell would join Leigh for the 2021 season.[11]

St Helens R.F.C.

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On 14 September 2021, it was reported that he had signed for St Helens R.F.C. in the Super League. Bell played 17 games for St Helens in the 2022 Super League season and featured in the clubs semi-final victory over Salford but he was not included in the grand final team which won their fourth successive title.[12] On 18 February 2023, Bell played in St Helens 13-12 upset victory over Penrith in the 2023 World Club Challenge.[13] Bell played 27 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished third on the table. He played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which stopped them reaching a fifth successive grand final.[14] In round 11 of the 2024 Super League season, Bell scored two tries for St Helens in their 60-6 victory over Castleford.[15] Bell played 24 matches for St Helens in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish sixth on the table. Bell played in St Helens golden point extra-time playoff loss against Warrington.[16]

International career

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In October, Bell was named in the Scotland squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[17] Bell played all three matches for Scotland at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup where they finished bottom of their group.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "James Bell (W) - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  2. ^ "James Bell - Player Stats". Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Scotland add Two NRL Talents as Walker is withdrawn". RLWC2017.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  4. ^ "B". 27 December 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. ^ "LeagueUnlimited NYC Teams - 2014 Grand Final » League Unlimited". League Unlimited. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. ^ Media, NRL Digital (3 March 2015). "VB NSW CUP TEAMS ROUND 1". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. ^ Media, NRL Digital (13 September 2016). "Mannering's fifth player of the year".
  8. ^ "Auckland Rugby League - Auckland Rugby League". aucklandleague.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  9. ^ "Updated team lists: Warriors v Sharks". 28 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. ^ Media, NRL Digital. "[Late mail] Bell called up for debut". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  11. ^ "James Bell joins Leigh Centurions". www.rugby-league.com. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  12. ^ "St Helens complete signing of Leigh Centurions and Scotland star". Manchester Evening News. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  13. ^ "St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge". BBC Sport.
  14. ^ "Paul Wellens Q&A: Saints review of year and a look to 2024". www.sthelensstar.co.uk. 14 October 2023.
  15. ^ "St Helens romp to 10-try victory at Castleford". www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. ^ "'Soul destroying': Warrington eliminate St Helens in golden drop goal thriller". www.theguardian.com.
  17. ^ Media, NRL Digital (12 October 2017). "[RLWC2017] Bell the Braveheart". Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: Fiji 30-14 Scotland - Bravehearts out in group phase". BBC Sport.
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