Hall began playing rugby league for amateur club Oulton Raiders. His coach at Oulton contacted the town's professional team, Leeds Rhinos, and Hall subsequently joined the club's Academy in 2006.[6] He made eight appearances for the Junior Academy team in his début season, before quickly being selected for the Senior Academy team. He made eleven appearances for the Senior Academy team & scored three tries, including the Senior Academy Grand Final victory over Hull FC.
Playing career
Leeds
2007–2012
Hall made his Super League début in May 2007, coming off the bench at the 2007 Millennium Magic weekend at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in the controversial 42–38 victory over Bradford Bulls. He made his first start a fortnight later in the defeat at Hull F.C., and scored his first try for the club in July 2007 against St Helens.[7] He went on to make nine first team appearances in 2007, scoring three tries, and was awarded an extended contract at the end of the year.[8] He was named in the initial 20-man squad for the 2007 Super League Grand Final against St Helens,[9] but was not selected in the final squad.[10]
In 2008, Hall made 16 appearances and scored nine tries. In July 2008, he suffered a foot injury in Leeds' Challenge Cup semi-final defeat against St Helens, and was initially ruled out for the rest of the season.[11] However, he recovered from the injury in time to be selected for the 2008 Super League Grand Final,[12] scoring a try in the 24-16 victory, again against St Helens.[13] He signed a new three-year contract with the club at the end of the season.[14]
In 2009, Hall became a regular in Leeds' first team as the team went on to win their third Grand Final in a row, 18-10, again against St Helens at Old Trafford.[15]
Hall ended 2009 as the season's top try-scorer, with 31 tries in just 30 games in all competitions, including five tries in one game in a 76–12 win against Castleford Tigers.[16] He was named Young Player of the Year, as well as runner-up in the Player of the Year award. He also received the Rugby League International Federation's Rookie of the Year award for 2009.[17]
In January 2012, Hall signed a new five-year contract with Leeds.[24] On 17 February 2012, Hall confirmed his standing as one of the premier wingers in rugby league when he scored 2 tries – including a 95-metre intercept try – and was named man-of-the-match in Leeds' 26–12 victory over Australian champions Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 2012 World Club Challenge played at the home venue of Leeds, Headingley.[25] Throughout the year he showed outstanding form, which earned him the award of being named the 'World's Best Winger'.[26]
In July 2018, Hall agreed to join NRL side Sydney Roosters at the start of the 2019 season.[41] A few weeks later, Hall played his last game for Leeds against Toulouse Olympique, suffering an ACL injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.[42]
Sydney Roosters
Hall signed a two-year contract with the Roosters, and was seen as a replacement on the wing for the departing Blake Ferguson.[41]
Hall made six appearances for the Sydney Roosters scoring no tries. He was not included in the club's finals campaign or the grand final team which defeated Canberra to win their second successive premiership.[45][46]
Hall made just five appearances for the Sydney Roosters in the 2020 NRL season scoring no tries. He was not included in the club's finals campaign and was subsequently released.[47]
On 15 November 2020, Hull Kingston Rovers announced the signing of Hall to a two-year contract.
Hull Kingston Rovers
In round 1 of the 2021 Super League season, Hall made his debut for Hull Kingston Rovers. After failing to score a try for two years, Hall scored a hat-trick in a 29–28 loss against Catalans Dragons.[48]
In round 9 of the 2021 Super League season, Hall scored a hat-trick in Hull KR's 40–16 victory over Leigh.[50]
Hall made a total of 20 appearances for Hull KR in the 2021 Super League season scoring 16 tries including one against the Catalans Dragons in the 2021 semi-final defeat at the Stade Gilbert Brutus He also made one appearance in the Challenge Cup.[51][52][53]
In round 8 of the 2023 Super League season, Hall scored a hat-trick in Hull Kingston Rovers 40-0 victory over arch-rivals Hull F.C.[54]
On 12 August, Hall played for Hull Kingston Rovers in their 17-16 golden point extra-time loss to Leigh in the Challenge Cup final.[55]
International career
He earned a place in the England squad for the 2010 Four Nations tournament and although injury ruled him out of the first Test against New Zealand, he returned for the final game against Papua New Guinea. He also represented England in their 60–6 win over France.
In 2013, Ryan was selected to help England's causes in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. He was one of the best players in the tournament, earning himself a place on the wing in the RLIF team of the year. He scored eight tries in five matches for England. He had scored 21 tries in 20 games in total for England, which was a new record.[56]
In November 2014, Hall played in the 2014 Four Nations. He was England's top try scorer in the tournament, scoring three tries. He scored his fifth try in four test matches against Australia, and he scored a double against New Zealand.[citation needed]
In October 2015, Hall was picked in a 24-man England squad to play against New Zealand in a three-match test-series. Beforehand though, England played a test matchArchived 26 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine against France in Leigh. Hall scored two tries in a match where England would go on to dominate their opponents and thereon create a new record for the biggest winning margin against the 'Les Tricolores'.
The following year, Hall was picked in England's 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations. On 22 October 2016, Hall extended his England try scoring record, scoring another two tries against France in Avignon. In the Four Nations, Hall scored one try in each of England's games to keep his try scoring record for England in as many appearances.
In 2017, Ryan continued his try scoring form for England in a mid-season test match against Samoa in Australia. Later in the year, he was selected as a part of England's 24-man squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[57]
Hall was selected by England for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. Hall was not included in England's opening round victory over Samoa, but was selected for the second group stage match. He scored two tries in England's 42–18 victory over France,[61] the first of which was also his 300th career try.[62]
In the third group stage match, Hall scored two tries in England's 94-4 victory over minnows Greece.[63]
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