23 Facts About Stanley Gene

Stanley Gene previously coached Gateshead Thunder and assistant coach at Hull Kingston Rovers and served as the Papua New Guinea Kumuls head coach in 2010.

Stanley Gene was a versatile player with the ability to cover virtually any position on the pitch, though he spent most of his test career playing at stand off.

Stanley Gene was a regular for the PNG Kumuls for 14 years between 1994 and 2008, and captained the side on at least three occasions, including being the PNG captain during the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, before retiring from international rugby league following the 2008 tournament.

Stanley Gene is considered a hero in his home country and almost universally regarded as a rugby league legend.

Stanley Gene scored 94 Tries in 111 matches during that period, and was a massively popular figure at the club.

Stanley Gene moved to Gateshead and was then forced to play for rivals Hull FC when they merged.

Stanley Gene was granted a release from his contract midway through 2001 and allowed to look for another club.

Stanley Gene signed with Huddersfield Giants midway through 2001, but was unable to save them from relegation.

Stanley Gene went on to establish himself as one of Huddersfield's most important players.

Stanley Gene moved to the Bradford Bulls for the 2006 Season.

Stanley Gene returned to Hull Kingston Rovers, his first English club, following their promotion to Super League in 2007.

Stanley Gene provided experience and a steadying influence as the club established itself in Super League, before being allowed to leave at the end of the 2009 season.

Stanley Gene made his test debut for PNG against France at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby during the France's tour of Oceania in 1994.

Stanley Gene then went on to play for the Kumuls during the 1995 Rugby League World Cup in England, and played in the 2000 and 2008 World Cups.

The first game under Stanley Gene's leadership was the annual fixture between PNG and the Australian PM's XIII.

Stanley Gene went on to coach the team for the 2010 Four Nations in Australia and New Zealand, failing to register a victory over tournament winner New Zealand, runner up Australia, and England.

In September 2013 Stanley Gene was appointed head coach of Gateshead Thunder for the 2014 season.

In 2012, he set up the Stanley Gene Foundation, aiming to supply donations to the deprived areas of Papua New Guinea.

Stanley Gene's age was a major talking point about the player for many years.

In 2008, Stanley Gene himself stated that he was 34, and explained that some people believe that Papua New Guineans "look older in the face" than in other countries.

Former Wigan player Bryan Fletcher predicted that Stanley Gene could be as old as 45.

On 11 May 2013, Stanley Gene confirmed that it was his 39th birthday.

Stanley Gene showed guests at his birthday dinner his birth certificate, which confirmed that his date of birth is 11 May 1974.