Jason Baitieri (born 2 July 1989) is a France international rugby league footballer who retired professionally at the end of the 2021 season with the Catalans Dragons after 11 years with the club and over 250 appearances. Jason captained his country of birth France on multiple occasions including the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and the Inaugural Rugby League World Cup 9s competition.

Jason Baitieri
Personal information
Born (1989-07-02) 2 July 1989 (age 35)
Paris, Clamart, France
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight14 st 2 lb (90 kg)[1]
Playing information
PositionLoose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010 Sydney Roosters 1 0 0 0 0
2011–21 Catalans Dragons 253 22 0 0 88
2014(loan) Saint-Esteve 3 2 0 0 4
2022–23 FC Lézignan XIII 30 5 0 0 20
2023–2023 Bradford Bulls 11 0 0 0 0
2023–2024 Pia Donkeys 12 5 0 0 20
Total 310 34 0 0 132
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010– France 22 2 0 0 8
2019– France 9s 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3][4]
As of 12 October 2023

He has previously played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, as well as bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship . Jason is now head of Recruitment for the Baroudeurs de Pia XIII who play in the French FFR13 Elite 1 competition

Background

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Baitieri was born in Paris, France to an Australian father Tas, a former professional rugby league footballer and coach, and a French mother.[5]

He played his junior rugby league in Toulouse before returning to Castle Hill, New South Wales when he was 8, where he played for the Hills District Bulls.[6]

Baiteri was educated at Oakhill College, Castle Hill and represented the 2007 Australian Schoolboys.

Playing career

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Sydney Roosters / Newtown Jets

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Baitieri joined the Sydney Roosters via their feeder club, the Newtown Jets. He made his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers in May 2010.[6]

Catalans Dragons

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In August 2010, he joined the Catalans Dragons on a two-year contract.[7][8]

In July 2015, Baitieri extended his contract with Catalans for a further two years.[9]

He played in the 2018 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.[10]

Pia Donkeys

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On 11 Oct 2023 it was reported that he left Bradford Bulls at the end of the 2023 season and will be returning to France to play for Pia Donkeys ready for the Elite One Championship 2023–2024 season.[11]

International career

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Baitieri made his international debut for France in the 2010 European Cup. He also played in a friendly international against England in 2011, 2012 Autumn International Series and he captained his country for the first time in their 2014 European Cup campaign.

After missing France's first match of the 2015 European Cup and test-match with England due to injury, Jason returned to captain France in their European Cup match against Wales.

He was selected in France 9s squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Catalans Dragons Equipe Saison 2015". Catalans Dragons site officiel. Catalans Dragons S.A.S.P. 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  2. ^ loverugbyleague
  3. ^ "Jason Baitieri". Rugby League Project.
  4. ^ itsrugby
  5. ^ "Proud family to get behind Baiteri". Cultural Pulse. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b Lewis, Daniel (3 May 2010). "Family affair has a French connection". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Aussie scrum-half Jason Baitieri signs for Catalans". BBC. 31 August 2010.
  8. ^ Hadfield, Dave (1 September 2010). "Dragons begin rebuilding with Baitieri". The Independent. London. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Jason Baitieri signs two-year extension with Catalans Dragons". Sky Sports. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Catalans Dragons beat Warrington in Challenge Cup final to make history". The Guardian. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Jason Baitieri returns to France after Bradford Bulls stint". Telegraph & Argus. 11 October 2023.
  12. ^ "La liste des joueurs pour la Coupe du Monde dévoilée!" (in French). FFRXIII. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  13. ^ "XIII de France: Romain Puso remplace Lilian Albert, forfait!" (in French). FFR XIII. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
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