Kylie Leuluai
Kylie Leuluai (born 29 March 1978) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand Māori and Samoa international representative , he most notably played at club level for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He also played club football in Australia for National Rugby League clubs; the Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, and the 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. Background. Leuluai was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He attended the Church College of New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand, playing both Rugby union and league. Playing career. Leuluai played for the Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, and the 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. He played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford. 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. He played in the 2010 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. 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 for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium. He played in the 2011 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford. 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. He played in the  2012 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium. The Rhinos went on to win the 2012 Super League Grand Final with victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford. 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 in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Castleford Tigers at Wembley Stadium. 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. He played in the 2015 Challenge Cup Final victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley Stadium. On 3 July 2015, 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 at Old Trafford. 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. 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.