Frixou firms on rugby league future

English NRL Rookie contestant Luke Frixou has said he wants to continue playing rugby league now he is back in the UK.

Frixou was a contestant on the Australian TV show that offered the winner a guaranteed contract with an NRL club. He was one of two English players involved, which include participants from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, New Zealand and across Australia.

The forward, who comes from Derby, came back in March after finishing 10th in the Australian program and after having shoulder surgery, he is now ready to go in terms of starting a rugby league career.

“Since being back home I’ve been training hard so I’m ready for whatever comes my way,” Frixou told Love Rugby League.

“I set up my own personal training business which is going really well so far and I’m enjoying myself.

“I had a shoulder operation back in March which was a big setback but I’m going to bounce back and play the rugby of my life next season.”

The personal trainer, who has also had a trial with the Salford Red Devils late last year, applied for the show after being told the sport would suit him. He grew up with a rugby union background but had limited experience with the 13-man code.

“I applied for the show because I always wanted to try rugby league,” Frixou said.

“I’d had people telling me I would be more suited to it my whole life – so it seemed the perfect opportunity.

“I never really had the chance to play as kid growing up but I loved it.”

Frixou was kicked off in week six of the competition straight after their game against the Men of League All Stars, before getting a chance to defend himself in the Shed.

Despite this, he has no hard feelings about it, saying: “I was quite pleased with the way I left the show, in a strange way.

“It was over quickly and I didn’t have to go through the whole process of being voted and that can hurt.

“It had been a tough few days and I knew I had a poor game and expected to be the one to be sent home.”

Frixou departed the program and was visibly distraught as he left the Allianz Stadium in the pouring rain. Despite this setback; he still has dreams of being a league player.

He said: “I still want to play league, and I still want to be a professional player.

“I had a taste for it in Australia and I know I’m a good enough athlete to achieve whatever I set my mind to.

“I’m assessing the options but the ideal situation for me right now would be to be playing Championship for a part-time team so I can learn my trade and see what the future holds!”

The show was won this week by Lou Goodwin, who will play for the Canberra Raiders in 2017, and Frixou was full of praise for the former Sydney Roosters youth player.

“Lou stood out to me as a real contender when we had our first internal game between the 28 rookies,” he said.

“You could see how tough he was in defence and that he was a natural leader.

“He also helped me loads as he was playing the same position as me (second row) so I ended up really looking up to him as a player and a bloke.”