Born in Penrith, New South Wales on 16 January 1983, Luke Rooney was a junior player of Emu Plains JRLFC.
As 2003 NRL premiers, the Panthers travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge.
Before his departure from the Panthers and the NRL at the end of 2008, Rooney was part of City Origin, New South Wales and Australian rugby league squads.
[3] At Rebels' arrangement Rooney traveled to New Zealand in July to gain experience with Hawkes Bay in the NZ national provincial competition.
[6] In March 2010, while in negotiations with English club Worcester Warriors, he expressed ambitions to play for England in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.