Hughes played for the
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in their 1995 grand final victory. He then joined the Newcastle Knights and in his debut season he was on the wing in Newcastle's maiden
Grand Final victory over
Manly in the
1997 Optus Cup final. He subsequently shifted to the centres where he played in the Knights'
2001 NRL grand final victory. Having won the
2001 NRL Premiership, the Knights traveled to England to play the
2002 World Club Challenge against
Super League champions, the
Bradford Bulls. Hughes played at centre in Newcastle's loss. Hughes was selected for all three games for the
New South Wales Blues in the
2001 Origin series where he played at fullback. In 2011, 10 years after The 2001 final at The once a knight reunion lunch, Hughes spoke about his memories of The 2001 final and the buildup to the game. Hughes said "I remember how nervous and stiff The Parramatta players were and how they were dressed in their "Miami Vice black suits" to the grand final breakfast". Injuries hampered Hughes' later career and limited his representative appearances. At the end of 2005, he left the Knights to join French club the
Catalans Dragons for the 2006
Super League season. In 2010 he was named fullback of Kurri Rugby League Club's team of the century. ==Career highlights==