Ipape re-signs with Leigh Centurions until 2025

LEIGH Centurions hooker Edwin Ipape has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.
The Papua New Guinea international has been in outstanding form for the Centurions this season since arriving in February, scoring six tries in 14 games.
Ipape capped a stand-out performance by winning the Ray French Trophy as man of the match in Leigh’s victory in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur last month.
“I am very pleased for the club, Edwin and for myself as coach, as he has been outstanding this year, and certainly has been a revelation in the Betfred Championship,” head coach and PNG legend Adrian Lam said.
“He was given an opportunity after the season had started and for him to travel over here and do what he has done is unbelievable.
“It is probably one of the greatest stories in rugby league this year across the world.
“I chased him hard at the start of the season, as I knew what he could do.
“He has come through as a halfback at Lae Tigers in PNG and has worked his way through the grassroots system over there.
“I have always wanted to have him and get him under my wing to coach him into the player he is now.
“There was a lot of interest in him from Super League clubs and it was a priority of ours to get him signed up, which shows the indication of where we want to be in the future.
“Securing players like Edwin in our side now and for the long-term certainly puts us in a great position.”
Ipape said he was excited re-sign with the club.
“We’ve been in talks for the last couple of weeks, but we’ve finally come to an agreement,” the former SP Hunter said.
“I’ve signed on for the next three years and I couldn’t be happier.
“The club gave me the opportunity to come play rugby league in this country and has helped get the best out of me.
“Under the leadership and coaching of Adrian and Chris Chester, this is definitely the right club for me to grow as a person and aplayer.
“To sign a three-year deal and get the security that comes with that is important for me.
“I want to find somewhere I can make a home and focus on my rugby league — this contract allows me to do that.
“When you’re involved in professional sports, you have to always find room for improvement.
“I feel that I can still improve, and I’ve got a few more gears to go through — I’m excited to see how good I can get.
“Our fans were a massive factor in my decision to re-sign. They really accepted me as one of their own straight away.
“Their support during games helps to give me that extra boost to give 110 per cent each week.
“You can feel their support all the time, whether it’s on the pitch or off it. They’re amazing. The aim for me is to win every game we play.
“I would love to win the Challenge Cup for the club and get promoted to the Super League (England’s premier rugby league competition).
“We want to make an impact there and challenge for the title within the next few years.
“On a personal note, I just want to continue to play great rugby league and bring that consistently.
“I just want to do the best I can.”
– leighjournal