About Mark Laurie (rugby league)
Mark Laurie nicknamed "Pebbles" (born 23 July 1962) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. A New South Wales Country representative centre who later moved to the forwards, he played his club football in the NSWRL Premiership for the Parramatta Eels during their golden period of the 1980s. He also played in England for Leeds and Salford. == Background == Laurie was the fifth of six brothers and the younger brother of Robert Laurie. == Playing career == Born in Wauchope, as a teenager, Laurie was earmarked for greatness, representing North Coast in 1980 and 1981 whilst plying his trade for his local team, the Wauchope Blues Rugby League Club. This caught the attention of Sydney clubs, and in 1982, he would sign with the Parramatta Eels, making his debut off the bench in round 2 that year in a 12–5 win over Balmain at Leichhardt Oval in front of 10,000 fans. In his debut season, Laurie would make 14 appearances for the Eels, which included a Minor Premiership and a Grand Final victory over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 21–8 in front of 50,000 fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 1983 again saw Laurie play the majority of the season from the bench in a star-studded team looking to achieve the first three-peat since the 1960s St George Dragons. Laurie would again come off the bench for the Eels as they became the 4th club in Australian Rugby League history to win three consecutive Grand Finals, defeating Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 18–6. Following this, Laurie established himself as a regular starter filling in at Lock, second row, centre and five/eighth over the next few seasons.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.