Tuesday 8 April 2014 12:26, UK
Jamie Peacock will reach a milestone appearance when Leeds Rhinos line up against Wakefield Wildcats on Friday when he makes his 500th career appearance.
To commemorate the achievement the Rhinos are naming the day as 'JP Day' in honour of the rugby league legend, who has enjoyed a glittering career in the game.
Peacock was born in Leeds, but is a product of the Bulls junior programme after beginning his illustrious career playing rugby with Stanningley ARLFC.
The 36-year-old was a key player during the Bulls’ glory years, forming an imposing forward partnership with Stuart Fielden as the Odsal club ran riot in Super League.
Peacock made his Super League debut for Bradford in 1999, ironically against Wakefield who are Friday's opponents, making two starts and 16 substitute appearances for the club, scoring six tries.
He played for the Bulls during a golden era for the club. He won three Super League titles at Bradford (2001, 2003 & 2005), two Challenge Cups (2000 & 2003) along with two World Club Challenge trophies (2002 & 2004).
Peacock departed Bradford on a high, helping the Bulls secure a 15-6 Grand Final success at Old Trafford over Leeds before joining the Rhinos in 2006.
The success did not end for Peacock upon leaving Bradford, plenty more was to follow as his switch to Headingley coincided with a golden era for their West Yorkshire neighbours.
The 2003 Man of Steel winner claimed a further two World Club Challenge trophies (2008 & 2012) with the Rhinos along with five more Super League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012).
Rugby league is one of the toughest sports on the planet. To maintain such a level of fitness, physique, drive and determination to succeed at the highest level are very rare attributes.
He's incredible and he's not just a machine, mentally he's getting better and his influence over the group is immense. I'm lucky to have him.
Off the field Peacock is a role model and never makes the headlines for the wrong reasons, he is mentioned simply only to highlight yet another milestone reached.
Peacock is currently number five on Super League’s all-time appearance list with St Helens’ Paul Wellens (413) set to pass Keith Senior on Friday when Saints tackle Castleford.
“He's incredible and he's not just a machine, mentally he's getting better and his influence over the group is immense,” said Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott after Peacock signed a new two-year deal in January.
“I'm lucky to have him. He has an influence over the coaching side of things but I think JP has other things in his life. His desire is in administration. I think he wants to take over the world.”
But Peacock has had plenty of battles to overcome. None more so when the rugby league legend produced a stunning Man of the Match display in Leeds’ 20-6 win over Wigan in September less than 24 hours after the death of his father following a battle with cancer.
He retired from international rugby league in 2012 after winning 34 caps, and he was awarded an MBE in that year’s New Year Honours list for services to the sport.
