Jesse Royal

Jesse Te Ahukaramu Royal (born 22 March 1980) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in the Newcastle Rugby League. He previously played in the NRL for the Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors. Royal's position of choice was as a prop.

Early years
Royal was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. He was a chef in the New Zealand Army and has played in the Bartercard Cup for the Central Falcons and represented Waikato. He captained the 2003 New Zealand A tour of England.

Australia
Royal was signed by the Penrith Panthers and moved to Australia to play for their NSWRL Premier League side in 2004. In 2005 he joined the Newcastle Knights on a two-year deal, however he was not able to break out of Premier League. His form was good enough however to earn a new two-year deal and he made his first grade debut in 2007. He went on to play 29 games for the Knights.

Warriors
Royal initially decided to work in the coalmines and play for the Kurri Kurri club from the 2009 season in order to spend more time with his family. However he later signed a two-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors in 2009, as injury cover for Evarn Tuimavave. He made his Warriors debut in Round Two 2009 against the Manly Sea Eagles, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball.

Later years
Royal decided to retire after the 2010 NRL season and return to Newcastle to work in the mines and play for local club Kurri Kurri Bulldogs.