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Leeds Rhinos: Kylie pens a new deal
Hard-hitting prop Kylie Leuluai is staying at Leeds Rhinos. The Samoan international has ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-and-a-half-year deal.
Leuluai, 31, joined Leeds from Manly Sea Eagles ahead of the 2007 season and has made 78 appearances, scoring nine tries.
Wigan Warriors were understood to be considering a move for Leuluai, but the player today insisted he had always been keen to remain at Headingley Carnegie.
"I am quite settled here and so is my family," said Leuluai, whose previous contract was due to expire in the autumn.
"It's a great club and it would be hard to play against this club.
"This has been home for me for the last three years and it will be for the next couple. I have got good mates here and they will be lifetime friends.
"That's pretty much what it came down to, playing with my mates."
Leuluai was a member of Rhinos' 2007 and 2008 Grand Final-winning teams and he added: "We have had some success.
"Why would you want to go to another club, when we've got a successful club right here? Everyone else is trying to get to where we have been to.
"I am lucky and privileged to have had an opportunity to play in two Grand Finals and two World Club Challenges.
"Hopefully there will be even more."
Leuluai admitted that he is relieved to have his future resolved.
"It's on your mind when it comes to contract time," he said.
"Now I can just focus on the season and what I need to do in order to do my part in the team.
"I'll keep giving my best at training and trying to take that out on to the playing field."
Leuluai said his own form has been through a "dip" this year after an "all right" start.
He insisted: "All of us are trying to get back on board now.
"We've had some wins and a good performance against Hull on Tuesday night.
"As long as we all keep doing our bit, that makes it all a lot easier."
Boss Brian McClennan has welcomed Leuluai's new deal.
"It's good news," he said. "He certainly celebrated with a good performance against Hull the other night, he was back to his hard-hitting best.
"He really helped to add some steel in the middle of the field and that's what Kylie can do for your team."
McClennan added: "He's really good off the field as well, he's a popular member of the team and he's good to have in the camp.
"He's a good role model for the young people in the team."
Leuluai will be 33 when this contract ends in the autumn of 2011, but McClennan said: "It's not age that counts, it's performance.
"With the training we do, we are aiming for them to be fitter than they were the year before.
"If you prepare properly and look after yourself, you can get fitter.
"There gets to be a point, once you're into your 30s when you know you have to work a bit harder than everyone else and you know that the end's not that far away.
"The successful players make the sacrifices and are extra-disciplined and fortunately our blokes who are over 30 understand that."
Meanwhile Rhinos Academy side take on St Helens at Stanningley tomorrow (1pm).
Ends
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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