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| Cameron McInnes | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cameron McInnes |
| Birth date | 11 June 1994 |
| Birth place | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 184 cm |
| Weight | 95 kg |
| Club1 | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Years1 | 2014–2015 |
| Appearances1 | 13 |
| Club2 | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Years2 | 2016–2021 |
| Appearances2 | 127 |
| Club3 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Years3 | 2022– |
| Appearances3 | 50 |
| Representative | NSW City, Prime Minister's XIII, Country Origin |
Cameron McInnes is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker and lock. He has played in the National Rugby League for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, St. George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, and has represented City Origin and the Prime Minister's XIII. Known for high work-rate and tackling, he has been a consistent presence in the NRL era alongside peers and coaches in Australian rugby league.
Born in Wollongong, New South Wales, McInnes grew up in a region associated with the Illawarra Region, Wollongong Hawks, and sporting pathways tied to the National Rugby League talent production. He played junior rugby league for the Dapto Canaries and represented schoolboy teams that fed into systems such as the St George Illawarra Dragons junior development, the New South Wales Rugby League pathways and the Australian Schoolboys framework. During his youth he featured in competitions connected to the NRL Under-20s and was scouted through programs run by clubs including South Sydney Rabbitohs and academies influenced by figures like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy.
McInnes made his NRL debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014 under coaches associated with premiership contenders such as Michael Maguire and faced opponents from clubs like the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm, and Sydney Roosters. He transferred to the St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2016, joining a squad involving personnel linked to Paul McGregor, Ben Hornby, and teammates who had played alongside internationals like Jason Nightingale and Josh Dugan. At the Dragons he developed into a first-choice hooker and occasionally played lock, competing in derbies against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, matches at ANZ Stadium, and fixtures in the State of Origin period. In 2022 he signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, forming combinations with playmakers and forwards formerly associated with clubs such as the Penrith Panthers, Canberra Raiders, and Gold Coast Titans. Across seasons he recorded high tackle counts, assisting teams coached by figures comparable to John Cartwright and operating in matches refereed by officials from the National Rugby League match officials panel.
McInnes has been selected for representative sides including NSW City, Country Origin, and the Prime Minister's XIII, joining players who have also represented New South Wales rugby league team and the Australian national rugby league team. His selections placed him in squads contemporaneous with players like Paul Gallen, James Tedesco, Cameron Smith, and Daly Cherry-Evans, and in matches against teams such as the Fiji national rugby league team and touring sides associated with Pacific competitions overseen by the International Rugby League.
McInnes is noted for a high defensive workload and effective dummy-half service, traits compared to established hookers like Cameron Smith and Robbie Farah, while drawing praise from club coaches and commentators in forums tied to outlets such as Fox Sports (Australia), Nine Network, and ABC Sport (Australia). Analysts have highlighted his endurance, tackle efficiency and leadership among forward packs alongside contemporaries from clubs including the Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers, and Brisbane Broncos, and his game management has been discussed in coverage by rugby league writers with ties to publications like The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Critiques have focused on ball-playing range relative to playmakers from teams like the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
McInnes's background in Wollongong connects him to the Illawarra sporting community and institutions like the University of Wollongong alumni and regional clubs such as the Illawarra Steelers legacy. Off-field he has participated in community programs linked to NRL club charity initiatives and local charities in the Illawarra Region and has featured in media interviews alongside teammates who have appeared on sports programs on networks including the Seven Network and Nine Network.
Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Australian rugby league players Category:St. George Illawarra Dragons players Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Category:South Sydney Rabbitohs players