Peacock signs new Leeds deal
England captain Jamie Peacock has signed a new one year contract extension with Leeds Rhinos which will keep him at Headingley Carnegie until at least the end of the 2012 season.
Peacock joined the Rhinos in 2006 from Bradford Bulls and has won three Grand Finals in his time at Headingley Carnegie so far.
Commenting on the announcement Peacock said, “It is good to have my future sorted out and I am pleased to be here at the Rhinos for at least another year. I am looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the rest of the squad to continue to build for the future. I have also enjoyed working with our young players in recent years and that is something I hope to continue.
“I feel really fresh at the moment. I can’t believe there are only seven games to go in Super League this season, normally I would be pulling my body through at this stage of the season but I feel in great shape because of the time I had off through injury. Both the club and I were happy just to agree a one year deal, that is the nature of professional sport when you get to my stage of my career however hopefully I have got a few more years in me yet. I am only 33 and I think we are now seeing that 35 is the new 30 in Super League with players who look after their bodies being able to play on past the age when they used to retire,” added Peacock.
Head Coach Brian McDermott welcomed the news and praised the props contribution to the Rhinos, he added, “I think in our sport there is a danger that we take our players for granted, especially those who are in the engine room of the team. Jamie Peacock is an incredible athlete and someone who has irrepressible desire to succeed. Not so long ago, the injury that he suffered last season would have made it difficult for you to walk for the rest of their life and yet he returned ahead of schedule and stronger than he was before the injury.
“He is an integral part of our squad and a fantastic ambassador for our game. He is someone who does the right things by his club, his team mates, his country and most importantly his family and is someone that we should hold up as an example to young people about how they should approach their lives. I am delighted he has agreed a new contract and I am sure we will see him here for many years to come,” added McDermott.