Leo Thompson

Leo Thompson (born 28 May 2000) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. His position is prop.

Leo Thompson
Personal information
Born (2000-05-28) 28 May 2000
Muriwai, Gisborne, New Zealand
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight107 kg (16 st 12 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– Newcastle Knights 41 1 0 0 4
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023 Māori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
2023 New Zealand 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 16 September 2023

Background

Born in Muriwai, Gisborne, New Zealand, Thompson is of Māori descent.[2] He played rugby union as a youth,[3] before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.[4]

Thompson is the identical twin brother of Chiefs Super Rugby player Tyrone Thompson.[5][6]

Playing career

Early years

Thompson was a part of the Canberra Raiders' Jersey Flegg Cup team in 2020 and 2021.[7][8] Ahead of the 2022 season, he signed a 2-year contract with the Newcastle Knights.[9]

2022

In March, Thompson had his Knights contract upgraded from a development contract to a Top 30 contract, allowing him to join the NRL squad.[10] In round 1 of the 2022 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Knights against the Sydney Roosters.[11]

In July, Thompson had his contract extended until the end of 2025.[12]

2023

Thompson played a total of 25 matches for Newcastle in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 7th on the table. Thompson played in both finals games as Newcastle were eliminated in the second week of the finals by the New Zealand Warriors.[13]

Statistics
Year Team Games Tries Pts
2022 Newcastle Knights 16
2023 20
Totals 36

References
  1. "Leo Thompson - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. Geenty, Mark (30 September 2020). "Mitre 10 Cup rising stars: Tyrone Thompson on his 50m try and NRL hopeful twin brother". Stuff.
  3. "Rugby: NBHS pipped in Super 8 final". NZ Herald.
  4. World, Rugby (27 November 2019). "What is attracting rugby league clubs to union stars?". Rugby World.
  5. "Monday Morning Dummy Half: Canberra Raiders Love Aotearoa". The Niche Cache.
  6. "20-year-old frontrower scores 50m debut try off lineout move". www.rugbypass.com.
  7. "Canterbury v Canberra". 16 March 2020.
  8. Man, 18th (24 November 2020). "2021 Jersey Flegg Cup squads".
  9. Pryde, Scott (30 December 2021). ""He won't look out of place": Knights recruit eyes off NRL debut". Zero Tackle.
  10. "Knights re-sign Edrick Lee". Newcastle Knights. 2 March 2022.
  11. "Roosters v Knights Round 1 NRL team list". Newcastle Knights. 8 March 2022.
  12. "Three more years for rising star Leo Thompson". Newcastle Knights. 28 July 2022.
  13. "NRL 2023: Newcastle Knights season review". www.sportingnews.com.
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