Burgess, Luke

Luke BURGESS [Player Stats]


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Rhinos sign up young stars
Sat August 23, 2008
by Matthew O'Neill
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

World Champions Leeds Rhinos have been handed a massive boost ahead of tonight's clash with Wigan Warriors with the news that young stars Luke Burgess, 21, and Carl Ablett, 22, have agreed new contracts with the club.

For Ablett it was double joy with news of his new contract coming the day after the birth of his first daughter, Ruby, was born on Thursday. Carl was with partner Natasha at the birth of the couples first child, who weighed in at 6lb 15oz, but will be part of the Rhinos squad that travels across to the JJB Stadium this evening.

Burgess has had an impressive debut season for the Rhinos this year under new Head Coach Brian McClennan appearing in over half of the champions fixtures whilst Ablett has been part of the first team squad for the past four seasons but has shown his versatility this campaign by playing at centre and in the second row.

Burgess had a year to go on his current contract but has been rewarded for his efforts in the first team with a new three year deal that will keep him at Headingley Carnegie until at least the end of the 2011 season.

Ablett was due to be out of contract at the end of the current season but has agreed a new one year deal for the 2009 season.

Commenting on his new deal Burgess said, "I have been looking forward to getting the contract sorted and I am really pleased to have my future in place now. It is a new three year deal and it is encouraging for me to be offered a new deal before my old contract was up. It gives me confidence that the club and coaches are pleased with my progress and I am looking forward to concentrating on my rugby now and helping the team to win some silverware over the coming seasons.

"This season hasn't really sunk in yet for me. I have just been giving my all each week and all of a sudden, I have played nearly 20 games. That has been a good thing really and I am sure I can sit down and reflect on the season at the end of the year.

"The coaching staff have been brilliant with me. Brian McClennan, Francis Cummins and Willie Poching have helped me develop my game and our conditioner Jason Davidson has got me in great shape and kept on at me all year to improve my fitness.

"I have done a lot of one on one work with Francis Cummins after training and he and Willie work with me on the weak areas of my game. Brian has been a massive influence on me, given me a lot of confidence and taught me great things," added Burgess.

Ablett, who made his debut under Tony Smith back in 2004, commented, "I am really pleased to sign a new deal with the club and hopefully I can build on this season in 2009. I have been playing a lot at centre this year, which has helped develop different aspects of my game, and I am happy to play wherever the coaching staff feel I can best help the team. I think sometimes people think I am older than I am because I have been in the first team squad for a number of years but I am still only 22 and I am hoping to continue to learn and develop."

Head Coach Brian McClennan added, "This is terrific news for the club. To secure two of our top young rising stars is great news. Luke has had a great year to date in his first season in the top grade and his potential is enormous. The club's policy is to keep people like him on board and to progress talented young players through the ranks. Those who work hard and achieve are rewarded with upgraded and extended contracts and I think that is the right way to do things. Luke has been through our academy system and that has come to fruition in the first team this season, hopefully he will keep improving and turn into a top Super League player.

"Carl has shown terrific versatility this year because of injuries. He has shown that in the centres but he is still only young. He is younger than people realise sometimes and we know he will keep on improving and it is good to have him on board for next season," added McClennan.

News Source: www.leedsrugby.com

====================================================================================================== 2008 engage English Super League Leeds Rhinos 18 games; 5 tries, 20 points. [View] Round 5 [07 Mar 08] L 20-38 v Castleford (A). [BE] [View] Round 6 [14 Mar 08] W 48-0 v Harlequins (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 7 [20 Mar 08] W 44-2 v Bradford (H). [BE] [View] Round 8 [24 Mar 08] W 30-4 v Hull FC (A). [PR] [View] Round 9 [28 Mar 08] W 14-10 v St Helens (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 10 [05 Apr 08] L 10-14 v Wigan (H). [BE] [View] Round 11 [11 Apr 08] W 32-12 v Warrington (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 12 [25 Apr 08] W 36-22 v Hull KR (A). [BE] [View] Round 13 [03 May 08] W 40-26 v Bradford. [BE] [View] Round 15 [23 May 08] W 30-14 v Bradford (A). [BE] [View] Round 16 [06 Jun 08] W 38-22 v Hull FC (H). [BE] [View] Round 18 [20 Jun 08] L 12-26 v St Helens (H). [BE] [View] Round 19 [28 Jun 08] W 18-12 v Castleford (H). [PR] [View] Round 20 [04 Jul 08] L 22-23 v Wigan (A). [BE] [View] Round 21 [11 Jul 08] W 46-8 v Huddersfield (H). [BE] [View] Round 24 [08 Aug 08] W 28-18 v Bradford (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 25 [15 Aug 08] W 54-12 v Castleford (H). [BE] [View] Round 26 [22 Aug 08] W 52-16 v Wigan (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t ====================================================================================================== 2007 engage English Super League Harlequins 1 games; [View] Round 14 [19 May 07] W 17-4 v Warrington (A). [BE] ======================================================================================================

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