Hull FC’s Luke Gale on Leeds Rhinos, avoidable issues and retirement

When Hull FC’s Luke Gale made the move from Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2021 Super League season, a few eyebrows were raised.

A halfback who had won the Challenge Cup in 2020 for his boyhood club, was leaving after just two seasons.

But, Gale has revealed just how that decision came about.

“Coming off 2020, we won the Challenge Cup with Leeds Rhinos,” Gale told the Jacuzzi Performance podcast.

“I’d come back from injury and I felt like I’d had a really successful season, but it kind of failed at the back end of my time there.

“2021 was a massive season, but we did a one rep max coming back into training and I tore my pec clean off.

“That’s how it started and it didn’t get any better – I came back early and struggled for form and the club struggled.”

Those out of form performances were compounded by another injury.

“With six or seven games left of the season I did my MCL, grade three tear which kind of summed up the year.

“Tt was a real tough year, but I’ve put that behind me and I’m now looking forward to the new challenge ahead.”

When asked if he ever contemplated retiring due to a series of bad injuries, Gale was adamant.

“It never crossed my mind to retire, injuries are part and parcel of sport.

“It’s not on my mind and I think you will know when your body has had enough.

“The injuries could have been avoided, why did I need to do 130kg bench press for a one rep max?

“Sometimes you have to get the better of your ego and let me do my talking on the pitch.”