[3] Murphy played for the New Zealand Warriors on the wing in their 2002 NRL Grand Final loss to the Sydney Roosters.

In 2007, Murphy rose to public attention after suffering a spectacular injury in a match against Wigan Warriors.

While running to try and claim a chip kick, he was pushed innocuously in the back by Pat Richards and went flying towards the advertising hoardings which surround the pitch.

Trying to jump over the danger, his feet caught the hoardings and his neck and back were slammed into the concrete steps at the bottom of the stand.

Murphy played on for almost an hour before eventually being substituted, where it was revealed he had broken ribs and he was subsequently sidelined for 6 weeks.