Caleb Aekins
Personal information
Born (1997-11-21) 21 November 1997
Hamilton, New Zealand
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight14 st 9 lb (93 kg)
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018–20 Penrith Panthers 12 0 0 0 0
2021 Canberra Raiders 7 0 0 0 0
2022 Leigh Centurions 32 21 17 0 84
2023– Featherstone Rovers 26 17 0 0 68
Total 77 38 17 0 152
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018 NSW Residents 1 0 0 0 0
2022– Wales 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 10 January 2024

Caleb Aekins (born 21 November 1997) is a Wales international professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for Featherstone Rovers in the Championship.

He previously played for the Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers in the NRL and for the Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Championship.

Background

Aekins was born in Hamilton, New Zealand.

He played both rugby union and rugby league as a junior for the Otaika Eagles and Hikurangi Stags in rugby league and captained Whangarei Boys High School, in 2015 he moved over to Australia. Aekins is of Māori and Welsh descent.[3]

Playing career

Penrith Panthers

Aekins made his NRL debut in round 18 of the 2018 NRL season at fullback for Penrith against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.[4]

Aekins made eight appearances for Penrith in the 2020 NRL season as the club won the Minor Premiership. He did not play in the 2020 finals series or Penrith's 2020 NRL Grand Final loss to Melbourne.

Canberra Raiders

He was then released by Penrith and signed a contract to join Canberra for the 2021 season.[5]

In round 6 of the 2021 NRL season, he made his debut for Canberra in their 35–10 loss against Parramatta.[6] Aekins made seven appearances for Canberra in the 2021 NRL season as the club finished 10th and missed the finals.

Leigh Centurions

Following the end of the season, Aekins was released by the Canberra side[7] and on 10 November 2021 signed for British RFL Championship side Leigh for the 2022 season.[8] On 28 May 2022, Aekins played for Leigh in their 2022 RFL 1895 Cup final victory over Featherstone.[9] On 3 October 2022, Aekins played for Leigh in their Million Pound Game victory over Batley which saw the club promoted back to the Super League.[10]

Featherstone

On 29 November 2022, Aekins signed a two-year deal to join RFL Championship side Featherstone.[11]

International career

Aekins was named in the Wales squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[12] On 19 October 2022, he made his international debut for Wales in their 12–18 loss against the Cook Islands in the opening round of the group stages.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Rugby League Project
  2. ↑ Penrith Panthers
  3. ↑ "Meet the team: Caleb Aekins". Wales Rugby League. 17 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Pearce to return for Knights in NRL". Newcastle Herald. 10 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Penrith confirm departure of six players". www.foxsports.com.au. 30 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Parramatta beats Canberra 35-10 as South Sydney, Manly post contrasting NRL wins". ABC News. 17 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "Peachey bound for Tigertown; Suli a Dragon". www.nrl.com. 29 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "Leigh Centurions make statement with NRL fullback signing". Serious About Rugby League. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "Featherstone Rovers: 1895 Cup final defeat to Leigh Centurions gives Brian McDermott's side signal of their progress". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  10. ↑ "Leigh 44-12 Batley: Centurions seal Super League return with deserved win in Championship Grand Final". www.skysports.com.
  11. ↑ "Aekins boosts Rovers' ranks". www.featherstonerovers.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "Wales Men's Squad Named For World Cup". Wales Rugby League. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  13. ↑ "Rugby League World Cup: Wales 12-18 Cook Islands - Steve Marsters seals Kukis' victory". www.bbc.co.uk.
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