After making his way to the New South Wales Rugby League competition with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, the now international veteran immediately assumed the role of leader in a young and inexperienced forward pack. Slowly but surely his lead by example attitude and influence took effect. After success had passed the Sharks by for the 1971 and 1972 seasons, hard work paid off in 1973 with the team making their maiden Grand Final appearance. Watson toiled long and hard throughout the length of the match but premiership success was to elude him at the Sharks. At the beginning of the 1974 competition, Watson did not come to terms with the financially struggling club and decided to play in the lower grades, seeing out the remainder of his career with Wollongong Souths in the Illawarra competition. In 1979, he returned to Sydney to coach the North Sydney Bears reserve grade team. Great Britain Cliff made his international début against the touring Australian Kangaroo side in 1963 and immediately struck fear into the hearts of all the touring players with his rugged, aggressive and often unpredictable style of play. This was seen on more than one occasion such as when he introduced the Australian players and viewing public to the infamous "Liverpool kiss" in a Brisbane test match on Jim Morgan (according to Watson the two shook hands after the match and ended up as good friends). Watson holds the dubious record of being the only British player to be sent off twice against Australia. Watson featured in another three British tours in 1966, 1967 and 1970. He made a sole World Cup appearance in 1970. Career playing statistics Point scoring summary Matches played Death Watson died of cancer, aged 78, on 2 May 2018. References External links !Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk (statistics currently missing due to not having appeared for both Great Britain, and England) Profile at saints.org.uk (archived by web.archive.org) Cliff Watson, Era of the Biff Profile 1940 births 2018 deaths Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Deaths from cancer in New South Wales England national rugby league team players English rugby league players Great Britain national rugby league team players Rugby league props Rugby league players from London St Helens R.F.C. players