Quick Facts
Biography
Kylie Leuluai (born 29 March 1978 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a retired professional rugby league footballer. A Samoa international representative prop forward, he most notably played at club level for Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He also played club football in Australia for National Rugby League clubs Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Leuluai was a massive part of the Leeds Rhinos success during his nine seasons at the club, winning a total of six Grand Finals, two World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups in that time to make him the most successful overseas player in the club’s history.
Playing career
Leuluai played for the Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL. In 2007 he joined Super League juggernauts the Leeds Rhinos.
In 2007 Leuluai played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2007 Super League Grand Final victory over St Helens. The Rhinos defeated the Saints 33–6.
In 2008 Leuluai played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2008 World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm. The Leeds Rhinos defeated Melbourne Storm 18–10. Later that year, the Rhinos once again made it to the 2008 Super League Grand Final against St Helens. The Leeds Rhinos defeated Saints 24–16.
In 2009 Leuluai played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2009 World Club Challenge against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. The Leeds Rhinos were defeated by Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 28–20. Later that year, the Leeds Rhinos once again made it to the 2009 Super League Grand Final against St Helens. The Leeds Rhinos defeated Saints 18–10.
In 2010 Leuluai played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2010 World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm. The Rhinos were defeated by Melbourne Storm 18–10. It was later found that Melbourne Storm were in serious breach of the NRL Salary Cap Rules and they had the Title stripped from them. It is well known, yet unofficial that this action automatically made the Rhinos World Club Champions of 2010.
In June 2011 Leuluai announced he will retire at the end of the 2012 season, signing a new one-year contract with Leeds Rhinos in the process. Later that year he played at prop forward for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup final which was lost to Wigan Warriors. The Rhinos went on to win the Super League Grand Final in 2011. Towards the end of 2011, Leuluai announced he would play on into 2012, but would retire at the end of the 2013 Super League Season.
In 2012 Leuluai played for the Leeds Rhinos in the 2012 World Club Challenge against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. The Leeds Rhinos beat Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26–12. Later that year, the Rhinos once again made it to the 2012 Challenge Cup final which was lost to Warrington Wolves. The Rhinos went on to win the 2012 Super League Grand Final again against Warrington Wolves. Towards the end of 2012, Leuluai announced he would play on into 2013, but would retire at the end of the 2014 Super League Season.
In 2013 Leuluai played for the Rhinos in the 2013 World Club Challenge against Melbourne Storm. The Rhinos were defeated by Melbourne Storm 18–14. Leuluai once again halted his retirement plans by announcing he would play on into the 2014 Super League Season, but would hang up his boots at the end of 2014.
In 2014 Leuluai played for the Rhinos in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final against Castleford Tigers. The Rhinos beat the Tigers 23–10. Surprisingly enough, Leuluai halted his retirement plans yet again and announced he would play on into the 2015 Super League Season, but would most definitely hang up his boots at the end of 2015 along with fellow Prop Forward Jamie Peacock MBE.
In June 2015, Leuluai once again announced his intention to retire at the end of 2015, saying that he felt it was time to move on to a new challenge. Leuluai expects to be staying on and working with the club on a part-time basis while studying at university as well.
However, head coach Brian McDermott said he would "says he'll only believe it when it happens after falling for the retirement ruse several times before."
On 3 July 2015, veteran prop Kylie Leuluai scored a try on his 250th appearance for Leeds Rhinos against reigning Super League champions St Helens as Leeds completed the double with a ruthless 46-18 victory to go three points clear of them with just three games left before the start of the Super 8s. Kylie would finish his career with a 6th Grand Final victory with Leeds after defeating Wigan in the 2015 Grand Final.
Representative career
Leuluai played for New Zealand Māori in 1998 and at the 2000 World Cup.
Leuluai was named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup. He was named Samoan player of the year for 2009.
Rugby League International Origin Match
Kylie Leuluai was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin Match against England at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
Honours
Club
- Super League (6): 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015
- World Club Challenge (2): 2008, 2012
- League Leader's Shield (2): 2009, 2015
- Challenge Cup (2): 2014, 2015
Personal life
James Leuluai is his uncle and his cousins are Thomas Leuluai and Macgraff Leuluai.
Kylie belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is renowned for being able to bench press 225 kg – the heaviest weight lifted by an NRL player.
Career highlights and honours
- Junior Club: Papatoetoe Panthers
- Wests Tigers
- Sydney Roosters
- Parramatta Eels
- Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2004–06
- Super League Championship: member of the 2007 Championship Leeds Rhinos Team
- Super League Championship: member of the 2008 Championship Leeds Rhinos Team
- Super League Championship: member of the 2009 Championship Leeds Rhinos Team
- Super League Championship: member of the 2011 Championship Leeds Rhinos Team
- Exiles: member of the 2012 Winning Team against England Rugby League
- Super League Championship: member of the 2012 Championship Leeds Rhinos Team
- Challenge Cup Winners: member of the 2014 Challenge Cup Winners Leeds Rhinos Team