Luke and Champion Extend Contracts
08 Feb 2009
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce that young stars Issac Luke and Beau Champion have extended their playing contracts with the Club until the end of the 2011 season.
Both players have been priority re-signings for the Club, with both deals finalised in the past fortnight.
Luke made his international debut last year playing for the Kiwis in the Anzac Test, before starring in New Zealands World Cup victory at seasons end. Issac was awarded the New Zealand Rugby Leagues International Rookie of the Year award in 2008 following his performances in the Anzac Test and the Rugby League World Cup. Lukes rise has been rapid, making his first grade debut mid-season in 2007.
Champion came of age in 2008, finding a home for himself at centre in the Rabbitohs backline. Beau is a South Sydney junior from the South Eastern Seagulls Club, graduating through the junior representative ranks to wear the red and green in 2005. Champion won the Souths Cares award in 2007 for services to the community, as well as being named the Rabbitohs Clubman of the Year in 2008.
We are delighted to announce the re-signing of both Beau and Issac today, Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said prior to the Return to Redfern trial match at Redfern Oval.
Both of these players have developed into regular first graders at South Sydney, with Issac going on to represent his country and to win a World Cup.
We saw them both as important parts of this Clubs future and we are delighted to announce their contract extensions in front of our Members at Redfern Oval today.
Luke is pleased to have his future secured for the next three seasons.
I love playing here at the Rabbitohs and Im very happy to be here for the next three years, Luke said.
These guys are like brothers to me and its an honour to pull on the South Sydney jersey each week.
Champion is equally as honoured to represent South Sydney week-in and week-out.
Ive always wanted to play for South Sydney and to have the opportunity to do so for the next three seasons is a dream come true, Champion said.
Im a South Sydney junior and its every kids dream to play in the NRL, and for me to be able to do that and play for my Club the Rabbitohs is truly an honour.
Biographies
Name: Issac Luke
DOB: 29 May 1987
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks
Position: Hooker
Height: 174cm
Weight: 84kg
Rep Honours: Six Tests for NZ 2008; one game for NZ All Golds 2008; NZ under 16s 2002; Junior Kiwis 2004, 2005
First Grade debut: Rabbitohs vs Storm, Olympic Park, 2/6/07, Round 12
NRL Games: 34
NRL Tries: 8
NRL Goals: 44
NRL Points: 120
Awards: Rabbitohs John Sattler Rookie of the Year award 2007
New Zealand Rugby Leagues International Rookie of the Year award 2008
Name: Beau Champion
DOB: 23 December 1986
Junior Club: South Eastern Seagulls
Position: Utility back
Height: 186cm
Weight: 96kg
Rep Honours: Australian Junior Kangaroos 2005
First Grade debut: Rabbitohs vs Sharks, Aussie Stadium, 8/7/05, Round 18
NRL Games: 35
NRL Tries: 8
NRL Goals: 5
NRL Points: 42
Awards: Souths Cares award for services to the community 2007
Rabbitohs Clubman of the Year award 2008
http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/News/Club-News/Luke-and-Champion-Extend-Contracts.html
08 Feb 2009
Both players have been priority re-signings for the Club, with both deals finalised in the past fortnight.
Luke made his international debut last year playing for the Kiwis in the Anzac Test, before starring in New Zealands World Cup victory at seasons end. Issac was awarded the New Zealand Rugby Leagues International Rookie of the Year award in 2008 following his performances in the Anzac Test and the Rugby League World Cup. Lukes rise has been rapid, making his first grade debut mid-season in 2007.
Champion came of age in 2008, finding a home for himself at centre in the Rabbitohs backline. Beau is a South Sydney junior from the South Eastern Seagulls Club, graduating through the junior representative ranks to wear the red and green in 2005. Champion won the Souths Cares award in 2007 for services to the community, as well as being named the Rabbitohs Clubman of the Year in 2008.
We are delighted to announce the re-signing of both Beau and Issac today, Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said prior to the Return to Redfern trial match at Redfern Oval.
Both of these players have developed into regular first graders at South Sydney, with Issac going on to represent his country and to win a World Cup.
We saw them both as important parts of this Clubs future and we are delighted to announce their contract extensions in front of our Members at Redfern Oval today.
Luke is pleased to have his future secured for the next three seasons.
I love playing here at the Rabbitohs and Im very happy to be here for the next three years, Luke said.
These guys are like brothers to me and its an honour to pull on the South Sydney jersey each week.
Champion is equally as honoured to represent South Sydney week-in and week-out.
Ive always wanted to play for South Sydney and to have the opportunity to do so for the next three seasons is a dream come true, Champion said.
Im a South Sydney junior and its every kids dream to play in the NRL, and for me to be able to do that and play for my Club the Rabbitohs is truly an honour.
Biographies
Name: Issac Luke
DOB: 29 May 1987
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks
Position: Hooker
Height: 174cm
Weight: 84kg
Rep Honours: Six Tests for NZ 2008; one game for NZ All Golds 2008; NZ under 16s 2002; Junior Kiwis 2004, 2005
First Grade debut: Rabbitohs vs Storm, Olympic Park, 2/6/07, Round 12
NRL Games: 34
NRL Tries: 8
NRL Goals: 44
NRL Points: 120
Awards: Rabbitohs John Sattler Rookie of the Year award 2007
New Zealand Rugby Leagues International Rookie of the Year award 2008
Name: Beau Champion
DOB: 23 December 1986
Junior Club: South Eastern Seagulls
Position: Utility back
Height: 186cm
Weight: 96kg
Rep Honours: Australian Junior Kangaroos 2005
First Grade debut: Rabbitohs vs Sharks, Aussie Stadium, 8/7/05, Round 18
NRL Games: 35
NRL Tries: 8
NRL Goals: 5
NRL Points: 42
Awards: Souths Cares award for services to the community 2007
Rabbitohs Clubman of the Year award 2008
http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/News/Club-News/Luke-and-Champion-Extend-Contracts.html
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