Tribute Song For Rhinos Legend Performed Tonight

Published 17th Sep 2015

Tonight's Rhinos game will be marked with a song - to pay tribute to retiring legend Jamie Peacock.

The Leeds born player is considered one of the most successful players in Super League history.

Making his debut for Leeds back in 2006, his whole career has seen eight Super League wins, and four Challenge Cup medals.

Well Yorkshire songwriter Alistair Griffin is behind the tribute - having previously written for Wimbledon, the Tour de France and Formula One.

But this was a whole new challenge.

"Obviously it was an honour to be asked to write a song like this for someone like Jamie who's a legend of rugby league, but also a challenge because albeit I've written a lot of songs that've been involved in sport... I've never been asked to write a tribute about someone.

"I think this is one of the more difficult ones, partly because it's about one person. Whenever I write something like this, I'm trying to distill the emotions of the sport, person, or whatever it may be, through words and music."

The song is called 'Heroes' and will be available on iTunes. Tonight will see Alistair performing it on the pitch as the Rhinos take on the Castleford Tigers.

"It's the first time anyone will have publicly heard it so you're always a bit nervous when people hear it for the first time. I think given Jamie's stature in the game and the fact he's a hero to the fans, hopefully that will help, I'll have an inbuilt advantage this time. I hope the Leeds fans like it."

The Tigers came out on top last time the two met at Headlingley, but Leeds will be looking to silence some of their critics after a disappointing performance away to Catalan last weekend

Jamie Peacock told Radio Aire that they've got to do better.

"This is our 33rd game I think this year and everyone's been Super League opposition. It's been a tough ask for the players but we need to rise again. Champion teams play well every week and that's what we need to strive to do it again."

He says he'll miss playing at Headingley.

"One of the reason why I stayed at this club was the great support I've had here, and that's when you play at home and it's an electric atmosphere. All the opposition like playing here because of the atmosphere and I'm the same - I've loved playing here."