Ipape signs new six-year deal with Leigh

Papua New Guinea hooker Edwin Ipape has signed a six-year contract extension with Leigh Leopards.

The 26-year-old arrived three years ago and has now committed himself to staying at Leigh Sports Village until 2031.

He helped the team win the Challenge Cup for the first time in 2023 and was named in the Super League Dream Team at the end of that season.

Leopards owner Derek Beaumont said contract talks had begun following interest in Ipape from the NRL.

“I was absolutely buzzing when he said to me, ‘I don’t want to play rugby for anyone else. I want to be a one-man Super League club. I trust you and want to achieve everything in my career with Leigh’,” he told the club website.

“It’s a statement of intent for our club and from Edwin with his commitment. There are no exit clauses, they were never asked for.

“Edwin is a Leyther through and through and that’s testament to our fans and the atmosphere and respect they create.”

Leigh have two wins out of two at the start of the new Super League campaign – a golden point victory over Wigan after the game ended 0-0 and Sunday’s 24-10 home success over Huddersfield.

Asked about Ipape following the match, Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Merseyside: “Absolutely brilliant. Great news for the club, the town, for the fans and everyone involved in rugby league.”

Lam described the new deal as a “major coup” and added: “He’s got better every year that he’s been involved. He’s a player that’s important to our town and to our club and his team-mates.

“They understand how much of an inspiration he is so his signing will certainly lift the place. He’s come a long way hasn’t he, from the highlands of Papua New Guinea to a six-year contract at Leigh to secure his future here so I’m very pleased for him and his family.”