Tom Learoyd-Lahrs

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (born 13 September 1985) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative, he played in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders and the Melbourne Storm.

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs

Personal information
Full name	Thomas Learoyd-Lahrs
Born	(1985-09-13) 13 September 1985 (age 39) Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	115 kg (18 st 2 lb)
Position	Prop, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2004–05 Brisbane Broncos 10 0 0 0 0 2006–14 Canberra Raiders 109 8 0 0 32 2015 Melbourne Storm 1 0 0 0 0 Total 120 8 0 0 32 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2005 Queensland Residents 1 0 0 0 0 2009–10 New South Wales 4 0 0 0 0 2010–12 NSW Country 3 0 0 0 0 2010–12 Indigenous All Stars 3 0 0 0 0 2010 Australia 4 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

Learoyd-Lahrs was born in Tweed Heads, New South Wales and is of Indigenous Australian descent.^[4] Growing up, he spent time in Kingscliff, New South Wales and Wandoan, Queensland before moving to Tamworth, New South Wales in his early teens, where he boarded at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.^[5][6] In Tamworth, he played junior rugby league for the Werris Creek Magpies and North Tamworth Bears.^[7]

While at Farrer, Learoyd-Lahrs signed a scholarship contract with the Brisbane Broncos and represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2003 and 2004, New South Wales under-17 in 2002 and New South Wales under-19 in 2003.^[8][9] In 2003, he played for the New South Wales under-19 side.^[10]

Playing career

Brisbane Broncos

In Round 2 of the 2004 NRL season, Learoyd-Lahrs made his NRL debut for the Broncos in their loss to the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium.^[11] He played a further seven NRL games in 2004, including the Broncos' Qualifying Final loss to the Melbourne Storm. He also represented Queensland under-19, Queensland Residents and the Junior Kangaroos.^[12][13]

In 2005, Learoyd-Lahrs played just two NRL games for the Broncos, spending the majority of the season with the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup, where he once again represented the Queensland Residents.

Canberra Raiders

In 2006, he joined the Canberra Raiders, where he played just 31 games over three injury-interrupted seasons. In 2009, he rediscovered his best form and was selected to play for New South Wales in the Game III of the State of Origin series.^[14]

In 2010, he played 20 games for the Raiders and all three games for New South Wales in State of Origin.^[15] In October, he made his Test debut for Australia, playing four games in the Four Nations.^[16] Following his breakout season in 2010, Learoyd-Lahrs would play just 42 games over the next four seasons due to injuries. In 2014, his final season at the club, he did not feature in first grade.^[17][18]

Melbourne Storm

On 1 September 2014, Learoyd-Lahrs signed with the Melbourne Storm for the 2015 season.^[19][20]

He played just one game for the Storm, their Round 2 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles, and five games for their Queensland Cup feeder club, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, due to a knee injury.^[21][22] In October 2015, he announced his retirement from the NRL.^[23][24]

Post-NRL career

In 2016, following his NRL retirement, Learoyd-Lahrs returned to Tamworth, playing for the North Tamworth Bears, winning the Group 4 premiership with the club.^[25][26] In 2021, he moved to Townsville, Queensland with his family and worked as a coach for the Norths Thuringowa Devils in the Townsville & Districts Rugby League competition in 2022.^[27]

Personal life

In 2005, Learoyd-Lahrs, who played under the name Tom Learoyd up until that point, added Lahrs to his surname in honour of his biological father, Michael Lahrs.^[28] His son Kaiden is currently a member of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL squad.^[29]

References

1. RLP
2. League Central
3. "Tom Learoyd-Lahrs - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project".
4. "Rookie nearly became a Maroon". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 July 2009.
5. "Tom in Blues debut". Warwick Daily News. 15 July 2009.
6. "Ruing the one that got away". The Canberra Times. 12 June 2010.
7. "Ex-NRL star says loss of U18s footy this year could have worrying ripple effect". Northern Daily Leader. 19 June 2020.
8. "Where Are They Now? Tom Learoyd-Lahrs". The Sportress. 29 October 2021.
9. "2002 – U17 Origin". 18thman.com.
10. "2003 – U19 Origin". 18thman.com.
11. "Learoyd-Lahrs conquering his 'crisis of confidence'". NRL.com. 19 May 2020.
12. "2004 – U19 Origin". 18thman.com.
13. "2004 – PNG President's XIII v Junior Kangaroos". 18thman.com.
14. "NSW Blues Origin team for Game III". NRL.com. 6 July 2009.
15. "Learoyd-Lahrs must be retained". Tweed Daily News. 18 June 2010.
16. "Learoyd-Lahrs preparing for another bruising encounter". Sydney Morning Herald. 22 October 2010.
17. "Patience puts Learoyd-Lahrs on right foot". The Canberra Times. 18 April 2018.
18. "Tom Learoyd-Lahrs doesn't blame Canberra Raiders for cutting him". Sydney Morning Herald. 11 September 2014.
19. "Learoyd-Lahrs to depart Raiders at the end of 2014". Canberra Raiders. 1 September 2014.
20. "Storm sign Learoyd-Lahrs". Melbourne Storm. 1 September 2014.
21. "2015 Review: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs". Melbourne Storm. 5 November 2015.
22. "Intrust Super Cup teams round 6". QRL.com.au. 7 April 2015.
23. "NRL to honour retiring players". NRL.com. 3 October 2015.
24. "Tom Learoyd-Lahrs draws curtain on 12 year career". NBN News. 5 October 2015.
25. "Learoyd-Lahrs eyes off rugby league return". NBN News. 1 December 2015.
26. "Former NRL star back where it all began". Northern Daily Leader. 15 April 2016.
27. "TDRL Transfer Centre: Ex-Origin hardman Tom Learoyd-Lahrs links with Townsville club Norths Devils". Townsville Bulletin. 3 February 2022.
28. "Massive Raps". Rugby League Week. 1 December 2005.
29. "Cowboys promote seven from Pathways program to NRL squad for 2024". NQ Cowboys. 24 October 2023.