Edwin Ipape had little hesitation in agreeing a new contract which is set to take his stay with Leigh Leopards to ten seasons.
The Papua New Guinea international hooker has formed a crucial part of Leigh’s rise since joining ahead of the 2022 season when the club were still in the Betfred Championship.
It was announced ahead of Sunday’s 24-10 win at home to Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Super League that Ipape had signed a deal which runs until the end of the 2031 season, and the 26-year-old did not have to think for long about whether to put pen to paper.
- Blease reveals Rhinos retention and recruitment plans
- V’landys: Buying Super League is an option ‘if they want us’
- Subscribe to rugbyleaguehub.com on YouTube
“They brought me here from PNG and nobody knew who I was then,” Ipape told BBC Sport.
“They gave me an opportunity to be who I am today, and it just shows the passion I have and love and loyalty for this club to make the decision. It wasn’t a very hard one.
“I think the club is heading in the right direction and what the owner has done and the people they have brought in, they are some good people and we’ll see a lot of success in the future.”
Ipape’s six-year contract is a record for the Leopards in terms of its length and the financial details, and saw him become the latest Super League player to sign a similar deal.
Wigan Warriors tied down 20-year-old second row Junior Nsemba to a six-year deal last year, while Salford Red Devils stunned Super League in February 2023 by signing Brodie Croft to a seven-year contract.
However, Leeds Rhinos were subsequently able to sign Croft for a reported £300,000 transfer fee following the 2023 season – showing ultimately, in professional sport, a contract is a contract right up to the point it isn’t.
Regardless, Leigh owner Derek Beaumont was eager to keep hold of Ipape for as long as possible, with the 2023 Super League Dream Team member having already helped the Leopards to a Championship and 1895 Cup double in his first season and a first Challenge Cup win since 1971 the following year.
“Everything good we’ve done has involved Edwin and we broke so many records over the last few years,” Beaumont told BBC Sport.
“Ending that hoodoo of 52 years not winning the Challenge Cup, Edwin was massive part in it.
“He’s adored by the fans and the fans should take a lot of pride in this because they were a big part of Edwin’s decision. It’s not an easy thing to commit a big future, but he’s got a beautiful family and sees the value in this town.
“People like [former Leigh prop] Fuifui Moimoi who has settled here over many years, they’re all big influences in talking to someone like Edwin about what this town can provide for you for a long, long time – not just on the rugby field.”
