Darrall Shelford


Darrel Shelford is a New Zealand former professional rugby union and rugby league footballer, and coach.

Early years

Shelford attended Western Heights High School in Rotorua, New Zealand. He is the brother of All Blacks legend Wayne Shelford.

Playing career

Shelford played rugby union for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, and the New Zealand Māori team before switching codes and heading to England in 1990.
He played rugby league for Bradford Northern, and the Huddersfield Giants, playing in the s.
Shelford played right-, i.e. number 3, in Bradford Northern's 2–12 defeat by Warrington in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1990–91 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991.
Shelford then returned to union, playing for Wakefield RFC.

Representative career

Shelford won five caps for the Scotland national rugby league team while at the Huddersfield Giants in 1995 and 1996, including playing at the 1995 Emerging Nations Tournament.

Coaching career

Shelford has coached the Scottish rugby league side and also worked as an assistant coach at Wakefield RFC, and worked on the coaching staff at Saracens, where his brother Wayne was the head coach, and at Arix Viadana in Italy.
He has been employed at the New Zealand Sports Academy as Director.