Chad Townsend is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a goal-kicking and for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He previously played for Cronulla and the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. He was part of the Sharks team that won their maiden premiership title in the 2016 season, and the only local junior. Townsend has played for NSW City. According to Townsend's local newspaper, The Leader, there are three certainties in life: Townsend being a Shark's Dud, Townsend throwing at least twenty inside balls in a game and Townsend always having the greatest highlight in the grandfinal,pushed out of the way because sharks needed points.
Townsend played his rugby league for the Yarrawarrah Tigers in the Cronulla-Sutherland local rugby league competition. During his junior football he was a part of 7 premiership teams. After being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Townsend made his debut in round 13 of the 2011 NRL season. In his first match, played against the Brisbane Broncos, he managed to convert two tries scored by fellow players Jon Mannah and Colin Best in the 40th and 80th minutes respectively. As a result of the injury of Albert Kelly early in the season and the subsequent poor performance of Cronulla's other half options, Townsend was given the opportunity to play in the NRL, after his good form in the Toyota Cup competition. He scored his first try in round 17 against the Rabbitohs. The Sharks won that game 26 - 4. Townsend represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2011 and the NSW under 18s and NSW CHS. On 22 September 2013, Townsend was named at in the 2013 New South Wales CupTeam of the Year. On 6 October 2013, Townsend was part of The Cronulla Sharks side which defeated Windsor Wolves 38-6 in The NSW CupGrand Final.
Townsend joined the New Zealand Warriors for the 2014 NRL season, where he partnered Shaun Johnson in the halves.
Return to the Sharks
It was announced in July 2015 that he would return to the Sharks in 2016 on a 2-year contract. On 2 October 2016, Townsend was part of the Cronulla side which won their first ever premiership defeating Melbourne 14-12 in the grand final. In 2017, Townsend was part of the Cronulla side which qualified for the finals but were eliminated in week one losing to North Queensland 15-14 in a shock defeat. In 2018, Townsend kicked the winning field goal for Cronulla in their week two elimination final against Penrith. The following week, Cronulla fell short of a grand final appearance losing to Melbourne 22-6 in the preliminary final. Townsend has proven to be somewhat of an iron man since rejoining the Sharks, playing in every match of the clubs 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. He has currently played 105 consecutive matches.
