Bodene Thompson

Bodene Thompson - Quick Facts

Profile Overview of Bodene Thompson

Bodene Thompson (born 1 August 1988) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who last played as a second-row forward for Bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship.

This profile of Bodene Thompson covers Background, Early Career and Breakthrough, Gold Coast Titans, Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors.

He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans, Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL. Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves in the Super League, Leigh Centurions in the Championship, Toronto Wolfpack in both Championship and the Super League and also spent time on loan from Toronto at Leeds in the Super League. He previously represented New Zealand Māori at international level.

Background of Bodene Thompson

Thompson was born in Tauranga, New Zealand. He is of Māori descent.

Early Career and Breakthrough of Bodene Thompson

A Tauranga City Sharks junior, Thompson played first grade alongside his stepdad when aged only 16.

He then moved to Australia with his family and attended Keebra Park High. In 2008 he played for the Gold Coast Titans Toyota Cup (Under-20s) team.

Gold Coast Titans

Thompson made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans in Round 9, 2009, making 3 appearances from the bench that year.

He made 17 appearances in 2010, including 2 semis, and signed a deal with the club that lasted until the end of the 2014 season.

Wests Tigers

Thompson was released from the Titans in 2012 and signed a two-year deal with rival club Wests Tigers commencing in 2013.

Having knocked back an offer to join the Tigers in 2007, Thompson had said, "I had the (Wests Tigers) offer there (in 2007) but I'm a family man and like to be around my family. We had only just moved over so I didn't want to shoot off somewhere else as soon as we got here." Thompson felt compelled to change clubs as he was behind Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison and Nate Myles for a spot in the back-row.

Thompson played in 15 games for the Wests Tigers in 2013. He mostly played in the second-row, but finished the season in the centres.

New Zealand Warriors

On 1 November 2014, Thompson signed a 3-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2015.

Leigh Centurions

Thompson joined the Leigh Centurions ahead of the 2018 RFL Championship season.

Warrington Wolves

Bodene Thompson stepped up in to the European Super League and joined the Warrington Wolves in the middle of the 2018 Super League season.

He played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.

Toronto Wolfpack

Thompson dropped back down to the Championship with the Toronto Wolfpack ahead of the 2019 RFL Championship season.

He was promoted with the Wolfpack at the end of the 2019 season.

Leeds Rhinos loan

Thompson spent the last three months of the season on loan from Toronto after the Super League club experienced financial difficulties as a result of the Global Coronavirus pandemic.

Leeds permanent switch

Bodene Thompson signed a two-year contract with Leeds ahead of the 2021 Super League season. In round 16 of the 2022 Super League season, Thompson was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle during Leeds 42–12 loss against St Helens. On 24 September 2022, Thompson played for Leeds in their 24–12 loss to St Helens RFC in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.

Bradford Bulls

On 25 October 2022 it was announced that he had signed a one-year deal with Bradford.

International Career

Bodene Thompson was named in the New Zealand Māori squad for a match against the New Zealand Residents on 15 October 2016.

Controversies

On 2 May 2016, The New Zealand Herald reported five players were stood down from an international test match for mixing prescription drugs with energy drinks on a night out. The recipe can emulate the effect of illicit drugs. Thompson was one of the players named who was stood down alongside Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Sam Lisone and Albert Vete.

On September 11, 2017, Thompson's former partner Belinda Medlyn alleged she had group sex sessions with Thompson and his teammates. The allegations came to public knowledge after a dispute over finances to raise their child became apparent. Thompson accused Medlyn of threatening to expose the story unless he gave her $50,000.

Source: adapted from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodene_Thompson), text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.