Super League Geordies regroup at Kingston Park

Newly appointed head coach Chris Thorman welcomed Hull Kingston Rovers prop, Sam Luckley, back to the home of Rugby League in the North East.

A familiar face to many of the Thunder family, Sam Luckley returned to Kingston Park this week, not as a new signing for the club but while on international duty for Scotland in the Rugby League World Cup. 

Attending one of our Thunder player development programmes, Sam spent some time with our up-and-coming talent after playing in the Scotland game against Italy in the side’s opening game of the tournament.

Speaking on his time back in the North East, Luckley said: “It’s been great so far. I always love coming home. It's a great feeling coming back, seeing all my friends and family and reuniting with them.”

Reflecting on his affiliation with Thunder, the 26-year-old added: “Thunder was a massive part of my life and played a big part in my career. I’ve still got a lot of friends here, both players and backroom staff.

“Rhys Clarke is a good mate of mine, he’s now coaching the Thunder U16 scholarship side and Chris, the new head coach used to be my academy coach at Huddersfield Giants. Keith Christie and Graham Neighbour are another two to mention as well.

“It’s been nice to come back, see them and catch up over a brew.”

Luckley made 82 appearances for Thunder before a move to Super League outfit Salford Red Devils in 2021. The prop forward made 27 appearances in his two seasons at the club, and it was recently announced that Luckley would be a Hull KR player for the 2023 season after agreeing a two-year deal with the side.

Luckley is part of a rare breed of only a handful of Geordies to play at Super League level, with another being Thunder’s newly appointed head coach Chris Thorman.

Although a great claim in its own right, Luckley alluded to his desire to have more North East representation in the topflight and stressed the importance of having programmes such as the Thunder Academy Pathway in place. Speaking on the topic he said: “Games like this one are so important for the region and for the young lads who are coming through.

“I’ve said in previous interviews, I want Super League to be riddled with Geordies. There's so much great local talent up here and these games are a great place for us to showcase that.

“I'm looking forward to seeing comes next for these players.”

 Speaking on the visit of Sam Luckley to Kingston Park, Newcastle Thunder head coach Chris Thorman added: “We invited Sam down to just come and watch the North vs South game as we know he has been in camp with Scotland, based in the city.

“Sam's a proud Geordie boy that's done really well for himself. He’s been on a bit of a journey, but he epitomises hard work and we're seeing him get his rewards now.

“We felt it was a really good opportunity to let the lads see me and Sam together, have a chat with us and just to remind them of what is possible for them if they work hard.”

Reflecting on the importance of establishing a strong academy and scholarship set-up and the influence the pathway programme has, Thorman said: “Firstly to fulfil IMG’s criteria to play in the top tier, we need these scholarships and academies. When you have a successful scholarship programme and an academy the knock-on effect is that it's better value for money and more importantly, it allows the fans to identify with the club and the team. When you know that local lads have a pathway into the first team your supporters can really buy into that.

“Going forward I'm keen to having influence and put my fingerprints on the pathway programme to make sure that whatever is being coached at that level has a similar feel to what I’m trying to put on the first team.”

 Thorman during his playing days represented six clubs across a 14-season career. Most of his 300+ club appearances came from his four years at Super League side Huddersfield Giants. The former fullback featured over 180 times and tallied up over 1000 points for the West Yorkshire outfit.

 Luckley will be returning to Kingston Park on Saturday October 29 as Scotland take on Fiji for the final game held in the North East. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE.