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| Full name | Luke Douglas Ricketson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1973-02-05)5 February 1973 (age 52) Forster, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 102 kg (16 st 1 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Lock, Second-row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Father | Doug Ricketson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luke Ricketson (born 5 February 1973)[2] is an Australian former professionalrugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. AnAustralian andIreland international, andNew South WalesState of Origin representative back-row forward, he played his entire club football career for theSydney Roosters of theNational Rugby League (NRL).[3]
Ricketson was born inForster, New South Wales, Australia.[4]
Son of former Easts player,Doug Ricketson. He started playing junior rugby league at the age of seven forBondi United in 1980.[citation needed] He was then graded withEastern Suburbs as a local junior, debuting in first grade in round 22 of 1991 season.
Ricketson made his first grade debut for Eastern Suburbs in round 22 of the1991 NSWRL season against Penrith which ended in a 42-8 loss. Ricketson was one of the ever present players at Eastern Suburbs during a tough period in the clubs history where they continually missed out on the finals. Ricketson started out his First Grade career as acentre, 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 thesecond row in1996. Ricketson played 14 games for the club in 1996 as they qualified for the finals. It was their first finals appearance since 1987. The club would subsequently qualify for the finals in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Ricketson played atlock for the Sydney Roosters in their2000 NRL Grand Final loss to theBrisbane Broncos.
In 2002, Ricketson broke the record held by Roosters club legendKevin Hastings (217) for the most club appearances. In 2014, Ricketson's eventual 301 caps, achieved upon his retirement in 2005 was overtaken byAnthony Minichiello (302). This record was subsequently surpassed byMitchell Aubusson (306) in 2020 andJared Waerea-Hargreaves in 2024.
Ricketson played for the Sydney Roosters at lock forward in their2002 NRL Grand Final victory against theNew Zealand Warriors. Having won the2002 NRL Premiership, the Sydney Roosters traveled to England to play the2003 World Club Challenge againstSuper League champions,St Helens R.F.C. Ricketson played at lock forward in Sydney's victory. In the2003 NRL grand final, he played at lock forward for the Sydney Roosters in their loss to Penrith. Ricketson missed the2004 NRL grand final due to suspension.[5]
Ricketson retired from rugby league after the2005 NRL season having played 301 games for the Sydney Roosters, the last season as captain. He played his 300th (and penultimate) game in round 25, 2005, against theBrisbane Broncos atSuncorp Stadium; the Sydney Roosters marked the milestone by winning the match 17–10.[6]
In 1996, Ricketson was first picked forCity Origin. He played again for City in 1997 but had to wait until 1999 to make hisState of Origin début forNSW, coming off the bench in all three games.[citation needed]
He made his international début when he played four games forIreland at the2000 Rugby League World Cup.
Ricketson made his début forAustralia in 2003 playing in two tests atlock against New Zealand. After that he was selected to go on the2003 Kangaroo tour, on which he played all three tests againstGreat Britain as Australia retainedThe Ashes winning all three games. Ricketson scored two tries in the last test at theMcAlpine Stadium inHuddersfield.[citation needed]
He appeared on the fourth series on the Australian version ofDancing with the Stars.[citation needed]
Ricketson is married to journalist Kate Waterhouse who is the daughter of horse trainerGai Waterhouse. They have 2 children.[7]
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