Kieran Foran

Kieran Foran (born 13 July 1990) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth and halfback for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL and New Zealand at international level.

Foran previously played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. He won the 2011 NRL Grand Final with the Sea Eagles. Foran played for the NRL All Stars, and captained the Kiwis twice in 2013 and was also part of the side that won the 2014 Four Nations title.

Playing career

2015

On 16 March 2015, Foran ended weeks of speculation over his future by informing teammates he was joining the Parramatta Eels from 2016, Foran who was off contract at the end of the 2015 season was understood to have agreed a four-year deal worth $AUD4.8 million with the Eels from 2016.

2016

Foran was named team captain of the Parramatta Eels, alongside club captain Tim Mannah. After Foran missed the season opening match due to injury, he made his club debut for the Eels in round 2 against the North Queensland Cowboys, where he played at halfback in the 20-16 win at Parramatta Stadium. In round 4 against the Wests Tigers, Foran played his 150th NRL career match in the Eels 8-0 win at ANZ Stadium. In round 6, against the Canberra Raiders, Foran scored his first club try for the Eels in the 36-6 win at Parramatta Stadium.

On 28 April 2016, Foran was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after he overdosed on prescription medication and he was subsequently granted indefinite leave. On 29 April 2016, reports came out that Foran had been struggling because of the pressure of football, a relationship breakdown with his partner who recently gave birth to their second child, a third-party sponsorship dispute with former club Manly who allegedly owe him $140,000 and the prospect of Parramatta losing competition points from the club’s salary cap scandal. On 6 May 2016, Foran launched legal action against KIIS 106.5 Radio host Jackie O after she made degrading comments about Foran and his ex-partner Rebecca Pope about the paternity of the couple’s second child. Jackie O later apologized to Foran and Pope, commenting "I just want to take this time to personally apologise to Rebecca and Kieran for what I said. I can imagine how hurtful that would have been and I feel really terrible, I really do, and I'm truly sorry". On 21 May 2016, Foran was again in the spotlight after reports he lost $75,000 on his TAB account on a gambling binge. Reports claimed that Foran bet money on greyhounds and horse racing in South Africa. In one wager he allegedly placed a $20,000 bet on a horse that came last. Just prior to this gambling binge, Foran had returned to Sydney from a three-day stint at a Queensland rehabilitation centre. On 24 May 2016, Foran was reportedly planning to sue the TAB over his leaked betting details seeking a $150,000 payout from the betting agency. In round 12, against the Newcastle Knights, Foran suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the Eels 20-18 win at Hunter Stadium. On 28 June 2016, Foran was stripped of his captaincy and fined $5,000 for unprofessional conduct by the Eels after he did not turn up to a rehabilitation session and drank alcohol while being injured. On 29 July 2016, it was announced that Foran had been released from his contract with the Eels to sort out his personal issues. Foran finished the 2016 NRL season having played in 9 matches and scoring a solitary try for the Parramatta Eels.

On 22 September 2016, Foran signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors for the 2017 season.

Wikipedia