Luke Covell

Luke Covell (born 9 November 1981) is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a goal-kicking winger for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and Wests Tigers in the NRL.

He also played at representative level for NSW Country and was described as one of the most respected players in the NRL. Although born and raised in Australia, Covell was eligible to play for New Zealand through his father, making one appearance for the Kiwis in 2007.

Early life Covell was born in Goondiwindi, Queensland, to a New Zealand father and an Australian mother. He was raised in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, and attended Mt St Patrick's College. Covell played early football for the Murwillumbah Colts.

NRL career Covell debuted with the Wests Tigers in 2003 at the age of 21. The winger's limited game time saw him join the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2004.

In 2007, Covell made his Test Debut for New Zealand against Australia, in which a young Australian side defeated the Kiwis 58–0. Covell however was injured in the early minutes of the match and it was to be his sole international appearance.

In 2008, Covell won the Dally M Pointscorer of the Year award, playing a major role in the Cronulla-Sutherland's stellar season. He went on to score over a thousand points in his career.

Covell was known for his lack of speed, but made up for it in determination, and was a fluent goalkicker. "I know some people out there think I'm too slow for the NRL. Not talented enough. But that's okay ... I've always known it too," Covell once said.

In 2010, Covell became the first NRL Player to have (LARS) ligament augmentation and reconstruction surgery. Covell played for the Mustangs again in 2013, losing to Ballina in the grand final.

In 2014, while undertaking a plumbing apprenticeship and studying at TAFE, Covell represented the New South Wales Tertiary team.

His daughter Chloe Covell is an Australian skateboarder, who competed in the women's street event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.