Mike Stephenson

Playing Career

Vital Statistics

Born
Monday, 27th January, 1947
Current Age
77 years and 51 days
Place Of Birth
Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England

Biography

1972 Great Britain World Cup hooker was signed by Penrith for the then world record $39,000 transfer fee placed on him by premiers Dewsbury in 1973. Stephenson was a total professional in his time at Penrith - cunning, charismatic and a natural leader. In taking on the captain-coach role at the club in 1975, he fought battles on three fronts - injury, club factions and fellow Englishman Bill Ashurst. 'Stevo' resigned for the benefit of the club midway through the year and while Ashurst chose to walk out on the Panthers in 1977, Stephenson remained to lead from the front line. A sickening injury suffered in a head-high tackle against Balmain in 1977, coupled with a chronic back complaint, forced his retirement after only 3 matches of the 1978 season. Stephenson has since taken up broadcasting, first with the ABC, and later with Pay TV in England.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.

Competitions

Competition   App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Tour Matches Great Britain 3 2 -   - 6 1 1 1 33.33% List
Test Series 1 - -   - - 0 1 0 0.00% List
World Cup 4 3 -   - 9 3 0 1 75.00% List
NRL 69 21 -   - 63 28 38 3 40.58% List
National Panasonic Cup 2 1 -   - 3 1 1 0 50.00% List


International

Test Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Great Britain 1971-72 6 4 -   - 12 4 1 1 66.67% List

World Cup Matches - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Great Britain 1971-1972 4 3 -   - 9 3 0 1 75.00% List


Club Career

NRL/NSWRL - By Year

Team Season App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Penrith NSWRFL 1974 16 2 -   - 6 8 8 0 50.00% List
Penrith NSWRFL 1975 17 7 -   - 21 7 9 1 41.18% List
Penrith NSWRFL 1976 18 4 -   - 12 6 11 1 33.33% List
Penrith NSWRFL 1977 15 7 -   - 21 6 8 1 40.00% List
Penrith NSWRFL 1978 3 1 -   - 3 1 2 0 33.33% List

NRL/NSWRL - By Team

Team Years App T G   GK % FG Pts W L D Win %  
Penrith 1974-78 69 21 -   - 63 28 38 3 40.58% List

Your Say

  • Harold Zammit
    15/11/2019

    Mike Stephenson was the Cameron Smith of his time. The art of dummy half play and controlling the game was his forte. A great leader who led by example. I actually met him at the squash courts at the Barry Knight cricket centre in the mid eighties. He was a sport journalist for one of the papers. I found him to be a thorough gentleman with a witty sense of humour. A great footballer and a gentleman at the same time.

  • Glen Nielsen
    16/06/2020

    As a 13 year old hooker trying out for Penrith SG BALL I had the privilege of packing down in a few scrums at training with Stevo and Bill Ashurst.
    Great learning experience.

  • Anonymous
    15/04/2022

    I have been a Penrith junior and fan since they began in 1967. I have seen some very talented players come and go none better than this bloke as an all round player, loyal club man and hard working coach. He all but carried the team in many of the games during his stint there. Not surprised at positive comments made about him by other legends of our game Thanks LEGEND

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Contributions: Paul Carter, Andrew Ferguson, Rugby League Tables, Greg Fiveash, Alan Katzmann, Shawn Dollin, AJ Lucantonio