Luke Lewis

Luke Lewis (born 11 August 1983) is an Australian rugby league commentator and former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.

He played for the Penrith Panthers between 2001 and 2012, winning the 2003 NRL Premiership with them.

He played at representative level for the City Origin side, New South Wales and the NRL All Stars.

A versatile player, Lewis played (but not necessarily started) in every position in first grade football.

Lewis also played representative football as a winger, centre, lock and second row, and won first grade Man of the Match awards as a centre, lock, second row, five-eighth and halfback.

Luke Lewis was educated at Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown, and spent his junior career with Blacktown City Junior Rugby League Football Club in the Penrith district.

In Round 25 of the 2001 NRL season, Lewis made his first grade NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers against the Melbourne Storm off the interchange bench in the Penrith club's 28–24 loss at Etihad Stadium.

Lewis finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in three matches.

In Round 3 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Lewis scored his first NRL try in the 18–10 loss at Remondis Stadium.

He finished the season with 17 tries from 23 matches, including two hat tricks.

In the 2003 NRL grand final, Lewis played on the in Penrith's 18–6 win over the Sydney Roosters.

Lewis played in 25 matches and scored 18 tries for the Penrith club in the 2003 NRL season.

He was selected for the Kangaroos 2003 Tour squad, but did not play.

As 2003 NRL premiers, the Penrith club travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge, playing at in the Panthers 22–4 loss.

Lewis played for NSW City Origin at and scored a try in the 22–18 loss to NSW Country Origin at Central Coast Stadium.

Lewis was selected to play all three games of the 2004 State of Origin series on the wing and in the centres for New South Wales.

Lewis finished the 2004 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scored 11 tries for the Penrith Panthers.

Lewis was again selected for the 2004 Kangaroo tour but was not able to tour due to undergoing surgery for a shoulder reconstruction.

Lewis played for NSW City at centre and scored a try in the 29–22 win at Lismore.

He was subsequently called into the team following the suspension of Glenn Stewart, his first appearance in Origin since 2004.

Lewis played 15 matches and scored 5 tries for the Penrith club.

He finished the 2005 NRL season with him played in 19 matches and scoring 12 tries.

Lewis played for City at in the 12–10 loss in Dubbo.

Lewis finished the 2006 NRL season with him playing in 16 matches and scoring four tries.

Lewis played for City at centre in the 12–6 loss at Coffs Harbour.

Lewis finished the 2007 NRL season with him playing 21 matches and scoring six tries for the Penrith club.

In May, Lewis almost joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a four-year deal but reneged on an unofficial deal.

Lewis played for City at in the 22-all draw against Country at WIN Stadium.

Lewis finished the season with 17 matches and five tries for the Penrith club.

Lewis was picked as 18th man for the Australian side to play in the 2009 Anzac Test, but did not play.

At the end of the season, he travelled to Europe with Australia for the 2009 Four Nations tournament, and was selected to play and made his debut against England off the interchange bench in the 26–16 win at JJB Stadium.

Lewis played in 3 matches and scored a try for the Kangaroos including playing at in the 46–16 Final win against England.

For the 2010 Anzac Test, Lewis played second-row in the 12–8 victory against New Zealand.

In the 2010 State of Origin series, Lewis played in Games 1 and 3, with a one match suspension ruling him out of Game 2.

Lewis played alongside Penrith teammates Michael Gordon, Trent Waterhouse and Michael Jennings during the series, which Queensland won for the fifth consecutive time.

Lewis was named Penrith's best player in a successful season for the club, finishing second on the NRL ladder.

In early 2011, Lewis married his partner, Sonia Di Loreto.

In Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels, Lewis played his 100th NRL match in the Penrith Panthers 30–20 win at Penrith Stadium.

The couple welcomed their first child Hazel Nicola in April 2016 and their second, Levi Alexander in March 2018

Lewis was named as 18th man for the squad to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin match on 3 June, in Melbourne.