Troy Junior Clifton Dargan (15 October 1997 – 24 December 2023) was an Australian-born Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who played as a five-eighth or halfback. In 2020, Dargan played two games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Troy Dargan
Dargan in 2021
Personal information
Full nameTroy Junior Clifton Dargan
Born(1997-10-15)15 October 1997
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died24 December 2023(2023-12-24) (aged 26)
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Playing information
Height174 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight87 kg (13 st 10 lb)
PositionHalfback, five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020 South Sydney 2 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019 Cook Islands 2 3 0 0 12
Source: [1]
As of 19 March 2021

Background

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Born in Sydney, Dargan was of Cook Islands and Indigenous Australian descent. He was educated at Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga, Sydney, where he represented the 2014 Australian Schoolboys.

Dargan played junior rugby league for Cabramatta Two Blues before signing for the Parramatta Eels.[2]

Playing career

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2019

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Dargan made his international debut for the Cook Islands against South Africa in a 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualification match. He scored a try in that match as the Cook Islands won 66–6.[3] He also scored two tries in his second match against the United States as the Cook Islands won 38–16.[4]

In August 2019, the South Sydney Rabbitohs announced that Dargan had joined the club on a two-year contract.[5]

2020

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Dargan made his debut in round 3 of the 2020 NRL season for South Sydney in their 28–12 loss against the Sydney Roosters following the resumption of the sport due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

2021

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Dargan made no appearances for South Sydney in the 2021 NRL season. Dargan's contract was not renewed by South Sydney.[7]

2023

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Dargan joined Manly's reserve grade side the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles ahead of the 2023 NSW Cup season. He played a total of six games for the club.[8] On 11 November, Dargan signed a contract to join Canberra ahead of the 2024 NRL season.[9]

Death

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On 24 December 2023, Dargan was killed in a motorcycle accident while holidaying in Aitutaki, Cook Islands. He was 26.[10][11][12] Local authorities reported the collision was an "alcohol and speed-related incident."[13]

References

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  1. ^ Rugby League Project
  2. ^ "Dargan thankful for the opportunity". Paramatta Eels. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Cook Islands vs. South Africa". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  4. ^ "United States of America vs. Cook Islands". rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Rabbitohs sign exciting young stars". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Round 3 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 26 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Rabbitohs confirm ten departing players after grand final loss". zerotackle.com. 8 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Blacktown Workers chasing third straight win". www.seaeagles.com.au. 12 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Former Bunny joins Canberra Raiders, 2024 squad confirmed". www.zerotackle.com. 11 November 2023.
  10. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (25 December 2023). "Troy Dargan passes away in tragic accident". zerotackle.com. Zero Tackle. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  11. ^ Mobbs, Adam (25 December 2023). "NRL rookie Troy Dargan tragically passes away in motorcycle accident on Christmas Eve". CODE Sports. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  12. ^ Lacanivalu, Losirene (24 December 2023). "NRL player Dargan dies in Aitutaki motorcycle crash". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  13. ^ Mee, Cameron (27 December 2023). "Cause of death revealed following Raider's tragic Christmas accident". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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