Super League: Jamie Peacock admits landmark match was 'humbling experience'
Leeds Rhinos forward Jamie Peacock admitted to suffering a few nerves before making the 500th appearance of his career.
Last Updated: 11/04/14 11:31pm
The long-serving forward marked the landmark occasion with a second-half try, helping the Rhinos crush the Wildcats for the second time in less than a week.
Peacock had made his debut for Bradford against the same opponents 15 years ago and admitted the attention surrounding the personal milestone had been a "humbling experience".
"On the way here I was getting a little bit nervous and I was just thinking 'what are you doing, it's just a normal game just crack on with it'," he said.
"It was really enjoyable. It's been a humbling experience. I've had a lot of kind messages from people and it's been really nice to receive them and I'm grateful.
"I'm grateful for the career I've had as well, so far. I've met some great people and I've had some great times."
Praise
Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott, who played alongside Peacock at the Bulls, heaped praise on a man who has won the Super League title on no less than eight occasions, as well as the World Club Challenge four times.
He said: "He's had an outstanding career. I'm very envious and I think most players are.
"I know it hasn't been easy for him and he has had a few setbacks.
"Just by sheer determination and hard work has he got through and that's not because of talent or speed or something that he was gifted with, it's through hard work so he should be very proud about what he has done."
On the match itself, McDermott added: "I didn't think Wakefield were so bad defensively last week. Tonight I thought they showed a fair amount of resistance.
"There were some outstanding passages of play from us, defensively and with the ball."
Opposite number Richard Agar felt his team put in a better performance than they turned in during the Tetley's Challenge Cup tie the previous Sunday.
"It is easy to judge by the scoreline but I thought our effort was much better," said Agar, who saw his team concede 60 points at the hands of the Rhinos last time out.
"We were beaten by a team, whether we like it or not, that has got a lot more talent than us."
There was more bad news for the visitors on the injury front after Ali Lauitiiti hobbled off in the opening minutes with a knee problem.
"Ali is very much a go-to man for us," added Agar, who went into the match without Dean Collis, Taulima Tautai, Reece Lyne and Daniel Smith. "To lose Ali so early in the piece was a blow and I think we are probably going to lose him for a while now."