Bodene Thompson


Bodene Thompson is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a forward for the Toronto Wolfpack in the Betfred Super League.
He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans, Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, the Leigh Centurions in the Championship and the Warrington Wolves in the Super League.

Background

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

Playing career

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 team.
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.
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 offer there 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.
On 1 November 2014, Thompson signed a 3-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2015.
He played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.

International career

Thompson played for the New Zealand Māori in 2010 against England.
He was named in the New Zealand Māori squad for a match against the New Zealand Residents on 15 October 2016.

Controversy

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.

Boxing