HULL KR might be keeping it strictly business at Magic Weekend, but their Geordie prop Sam Luckley will still allow himself the opportunity to savour his return home.
The Betfred Super League’s Magic Weekend returns to Newcastle’s St James’ Park over the Saturday and Sunday of the May Bank Holiday, having been held at Elland Road in Leeds last year.
Stepping out onto the field his beloved Newcastle United play on never gets old for Luckley either and while the focus will be on ensuring Hull KR pick up another two points when they face Salford Red Devils in the second game on Saturday, the 29-year-old will find time to take it all in.
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What a moment for the hometown hero at #MagicWeekend ❤️#SuperLeague #SLHudSal pic.twitter.com/gQ6Q307fpX
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“It’s like my childhood dream, it means so much to me,” Luckley told BBC Radio Humberside.
“I’ve been lucky enough to able to play here a couple of times and it just gets better and better. I felt a little bit lost last year when we were at least, but it’s nice to come back.
“I will be soaking up the week and enjoying doing the media. I’ve got to come up here and go home to see my family and stuff, which is another little box ticked for myself.
“Although I’ll be focusing on the weekend, it’s nice to look up and see where you are and soak it up because life’s too short not to enjoy these things.”
Luckley became a viral sensation at Magic Weekend three years ago when he replicated Newcastle and England goal-scoring great Alan Shearer’s iconic arm-in-the-air celebration after grabbing a try in front of the Gallowgate End for Salford against Huddersfield Giants.
The Scotland international then moved to Hull KR two years ago, playing in both the 2023 Challenge Cup final and last year’s Super League grand final.
While there will be no going easy on his former club on Saturday evening, Luckley empathises with the situation his former team-mates find themselves in due to the ongoing financial troubles affecting the Red Devils.
“I feel for them because I’ve still got loads of mates there and it’s their livelihoods, and it’s sad to see,” Luckley said.
“I don’t know enough about the situation because it’s all a grey area and it’s hard to have an opinion when you don’t really know what’s going on.
“It’s a shame, that club’s got some great people both on and off the field, and I hope they get it sorted.”
Super League Magic Weekend 2025 fixtures
Saturday, May 3: Leigh Leopards vs Catalans Dragons (3pm), Hull KR vs Salford Red Devils (5.15pm), St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos (7.30pm).
Sunday, May 4: Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC (1pm), Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves (3.15pm), Castleford Tigers vs Wakefield Trinity (5.30pm).
