Name Luke Ricketson | Role Rugby player | |
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Perfect Partners with Luke Ricketson on The Footy Show
Luke Ricketson (born 5 February 1973, in Forster, New South Wales ) is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s, and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-row forward, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL.
Contents
- Perfect Partners with Luke Ricketson on The Footy Show
- Early life
- Playing career
- Representative career
- Post playing
- Personal life
- References
Early life
Son of former Easts player, Doug Ricketson, his family moved to Bondi from Forster when he was one year old. He started playing junior rugby league at seven for Bondi United. He was then graded with Eastern Suburbs as a local junior, debuting in first grade in 1991.
Playing career
Ricketson started out his First Grade career as a centre, and gradually moved closer to the action in the middle of the field as his career went on, generally playing in the centres until he was moved into the second row in 1996.
Ricketson played at lock for the Sydney Roosters in their 2000 NRL Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos.
In 2002, Ricketson broke the record held by Roosters club legend Kevin Hastings (217) for the most club appearances. As of 2014, Ricketson's eventual 301 caps, achieved upon his retirement in 2005, still stands as the club record.
Ricketson played for the Roosters at lock forward in their 2002 NRL Grand Final victory against the New Zealand Warriors. Having won the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters travelled to England to play the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C.. Ricketson played at lock forward in Sydney's victory.
In the 2003 NRL grand final, he played at lock forward for the Roosters in their loss to the Panthers.
Ricketson retired from rugby league after the 2005 NRL season having played 301 games for the Roosters, the last season as captain.
Representative career
In 1996, Ricketson was first picked for City Origin. He played again for City in 1997 but had to wait until 1999 to make his State of Origin debut for NSW, coming off the bench in all three games.
He made his international debut when he played four games for Ireland at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
Ricketson made his debut for Australia in 2003 playing in two tests at lock against New Zealand. After that he was selected to go on the 2003 Kangaroo tour, on which he played all three tests against Great Britain as Australia retained The Ashes winning all three games. Ricketson scored two tries in the last test at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield.
Post playing
He appeared on the fourth series on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.
Personal life
Ricketson is married to journalist Kate Waterhouse who is the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse. They have 2 children.