Ricky Leutele

{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Ricky Leutele

|fullname = Ricky Samuelu Leutele

|image = Ricky Leutele Toronto Wolfpack.jpg

|imagesize = 285px

|caption =

|position = {{rlp|CE}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|10|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

|height = {{convert|1.82|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|weight = {{convert|94|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|club1 = Cronulla Sharks

|year1start = 2010

|year1end = 18

|appearances1 = 128

|tries1 = 30

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 120

|club2 = Toronto Wolfpack

|year2start = 2019

|year2end = 20

|appearances2 = 35

|tries2 = 20

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 80

|club3 = Melbourne Storm

|year3start = 2020

|year3end =

|appearances3 = 1

|tries3 = 0

|goals3 = 0

|fieldgoals3 = 0

|points3 = 0

|club4 = {{nowrap|Huddersfield Giants}}

|year4start = 2021

|year4end = 22

|appearances4 = 37

|tries4 = 20

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 80

|club5 = Leigh Leopards

|year5start = 2023

|year5end = 24

|appearances5 = 48

|tries5 = 15

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 60

|teamA = Samoa

|yearAstart = 2014

|yearAend = 17

|appearancesA = 7

|triesA = 1

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 4

| teamB = {{nowrap|Combined Nations All Stars}}

| yearBstart = 2021

| yearBend =

| appearancesB = 1

| triesB = 0

| goalsB = 0

| fieldgoalsB = 0

| pointsB = 0

|retired =

|source = [https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Ricky-Leutele/ loverugbyleague]{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ricky-leutele/summary.html|title=Ricky Leutele - Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2015-12-18}}

|updated = 26 December 2024

}}

Ricky Leutele (born 10 April 1990) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|ce}} for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.

Leutele previously played for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League, Toronto Wolfpack in the Championship and the Super League, the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. He was part of the Cronulla team that won their maiden premiership title in the 2016 NRL Grand Final, making the final tackle.

Background

Leutele was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He is of Samoan descent, from the Leutele and Moeono family of Falefa.

Leutele played his junior rugby league for the Logan Brothers Rugby League Football Club.

Playing career

Leutele played his junior football for Logan Brothers before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Leutele played for the Sharks Toyota Cup team in 2009 and 2010, scoring 5 tries in 38 games before moving on to the Sharks' NSW Cup reserve-grade team in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://rleague.com/db/player/l/leutele_ricky/index.php|title=rleague.com - Leutele, Ricky|date=29 November 2010|access-date=6 October 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129064159/http://rleague.com/db/player/l/leutele_ricky/index.php|archive-date=29 November 2010}}

=Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: 2010 - 2018=

In round 24 of the 2010 NRL season, Leutele made his NRL debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Melbourne Storm at {{rlp|ce}} in Cronulla's 24–4 loss at AAMI Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/melbourne-storm-whips-cronulla-24-4/story-e6freuy9-1225908271814|title=Melbourne Storm Whips Cronulla 24-4|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}} This was the only match Leutele played in his debut year.

In round 22 of the 2011 season, against the Gold Coast Titans, Leutele scored his first NRL try in Cronulla-Sutherland's 20–16 loss at Remondis Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/gold-coast-titans-beat-cronulla-sharks-20-to-16-at-toyota-stadium/story-e6frep5x-1226109919422|title=Gold Coast Titans Beat Cronulla Sharks 20-6|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}} At the end of the season, he was named at centre in the 2011 NSW Cup Team of the Year. Leutele played in 2 matches and scored a first grade try.

In July 2012, Leutele played 3 games in 6 days, playing for the NSW Residents on 4 July, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks NSW Cup team on 7 July and then the Sharks' NRL team on 9 July.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-centre-ricky-leutele-plays-three-games-in-five-days/story-fnbh071o-1226422933585|title=Cronulla Sharks Centre Ricky Leutele Plays Three Games in Five Days|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}} On 12 September 2012 Leutele was again named at centre in the 2012 NSW Cup Team of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://www.nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=63751&title=2012-nswrlcomau-vb-nsw-cup-team-of-the-year---announcement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010140055/http://www.nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=63751&title=2012-nswrlcomau-vb-nsw-cup-team-of-the-year---announcement |archive-date=10 October 2012 |title=2012 NSWRL.com.au VB NSW Cup Team of the Year - Announcement |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2017}} Leutele played in 7 matches and scored 4 tries for the Sharks in the 2012 NRL season.

File:RICKY LEUTELE.jpg

On 25 June 2013, Leutele extended his contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks for two years till the end of the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/tupou-signs-up-for-two-more-seasons-10127/|title=Tupou and Leutele re-sign with the Sharks|publisher=Zero Tackle|date=2013-06-25|access-date=2015-12-18}} Leutele played in 3 matches for the season.

In February 2014, Leutele was selected for the Sharks inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=Squads For Auckland Nines|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2014-02-14|access-date=2015-12-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115214258/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|archive-date=15 January 2016}} Leutele finished off the season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 2 tries as Cronulla finished last on the table and claimed the wooden spoon.

On 31 January and 1 February, Leutele played for the Sharks 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-2015-nines-squad/|title=SHARKS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-01-23|access-date=2015-12-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203031232/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-2015-nines-squad/|archive-date=3 February 2016}} On 18 August, he extended his contract with Cronulla for a further three years to the end of the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ricky-leutele-signs-three-year-contract-with-sharks-securing-his-nlr-future/story-fni3gol8-1227485085579|title=Ricky Leutele Signs Three Year Contract with Sharks Securing His NRL Future|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}} He finished off the 2015 season having played in 23 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Sharks.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/My0xNjYwLTQtLS0tLS0xNTAzNi0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2015-10-25|access-date=2015-12-21}}

On 28 January 2016, Leutele was named in the Sharks 2016 Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-name-2016-nines-squad/|title=Cronulla Sharks name 2016 Nines squad|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2016-01-29|access-date=2016-02-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131060101/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/sharks-name-2016-nines-squad/|archive-date=31 January 2016}} On 2 October he played in the club's first ever premiership victory, famously making the final tackle on Storm winger Marika Koroibete after the siren had sounded. Cronulla-Sutherland won the game 14–12 at ANZ Stadium.

Leutele was part of the Cronulla side which finished 5th on the ladder at the end of the regular season. The following week, Cronulla suffered a shock finals defeat by North Queensland losing the match 15–14 at the Sydney Football Stadium.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-10/nrl-finals-cronulla-sharks-north-queensland-cowboys-scorecentre/8886596 |title=North Queensland Cowboys break Cronulla Sharks' hearts with extra-time field goal winner |publisher=ABC |date=10 September 2017 |access-date=24 November 2021}}

On 24 May 2018, Leutele signed a three-year deal to join the Toronto Wolfpack starting in 2019.{{cite web |url=http://torontosun.com/sports/other-sports/wolfpack-add-centre-ricky-leutele-for-next-season |title=Wolfpack add centre Ricky Leutele for next season |publisher=Toronto Sun |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=24 November 2021}}

Leutele played 25 games for Cronulla in 2018 as the club finished in the top four and reached the finals. Leutele's final game for Cronulla was the preliminary final defeat against Melbourne at AAMI Park.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/sep/21/nrl-preliminary-final-storm-v-sharks-plus-nrlw-live/|title= Melbourne v Cronulla preliminary final|website=The Guardian}}

=Toronto Wolfpack: 2019 - 2020 =

On 5 October, Leutele was part of the Toronto Wolfpack side which won the Million Pound Game against Featherstone and earned promotion to the Super League for the first time in the club's history.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-league/49945545/page/2/|title=Toronto beat Featherstone to reach Super League|website=BBC}} In mid 2020, the Toronto Wolfpack withdrew from playing in the 2020 Super League season, Leutele and his family were in a state of limbo in London as he had not been paid by the club for some months, in addition his visa had expired and so needed to leave the country.

=Melbourne Storm: 2020=

On 3 August, Leutele signed a contract with Melbourne to fill the centre position for the remainder of the 2020 NRL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/04/inside-story-leutele-signing-more-than-about-football/|title=Inside story: Leutele signing 'more than about football'|website=NRL.com}}

Leutele made his Melbourne debut in round 20 of the 2020 NRL season against St. George Illawarra.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/22/round-20-nrl-squad-announcements/ |title=NRL Round 20 team lists |publisher=NRL.com |date=22 September 2020}}

=Huddersfield Giants=

On 20 December 2020, it was announced that Leutele would join the Huddersfield Giants for the 2021 Super League season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55385926|title=Ricky Leutele: Huddersfield Giants sign Samoa centre from NRL champions Melbourne Storm|date=20 Dec 2020|access-date=21 Dec 2020|website=BBC Sport}}

In round 7 of the 2021 Super League season, he scored two tries for Huddersfield in their 44-8 victory over the hapless Leigh team.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/leigh-vs-huddersfield/report/55299/|title=Huddersfield Giants make it three in a row with 44-6 win over Leigh Centurions|website=www.skysports.com}}

In round 5 of the 2022 Super League season, he scored a hat-trick in Huddersfield's 36-24 victory over Castleford.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/60681568.amp/|title=Super League: Huddersfield Giants 36-24 Castleford Tigers - Ricky Leutele runs in hat-trick|website=www.bbc.com}}

On 28 May 2022, Leutele played for Huddersfield in their 2022 Challenge Cup Final loss to Wigan. Leutele scored the opening try in the match.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/61594770.amp/|title=Challenge Cup final: Huddersfield Giants 14-16 Wigan Warriors|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

=Leigh=

On 20 October 2022, Leutele signed a contract to join newly promoted side Leigh.{{cite web|url=https://www.totalrl.com/ricky-leuteles-new-super-league-club-confirmed-after-huddersfield-giants-exit/|title=Ricky Leutele’s new Super League club confirmed after Huddersfield Giants exit|website=www.totalrl.com}}

Leutele played 19 games for Leigh in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fifth on the table and qualified for the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://leighleopards.co.uk/leigh-leopards-2023-in-review/#:~:text=Overall%20playing%20record%3A,For%20694%2C%20Against%20580./|title=Leigh Leopards 2023 season in review|website=www.leighleopards.co.uk}}

Leutele played 28 games for Leigh in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish fifth on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/live-blog/12204/13227859/super-league-semi-finals-live-wigan-face-leigh-for-grand-final-spot/|title=Super League semi-finals: Wigan Warriors cruise past Leigh Leopards- live commentary and video clips|website=www.skysports.com}}

=Souths Logan Magpies=

On 24 December 2024, it was announced that he would join Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup for 2025{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=24 Dec 2024|title=Ricky Leutele’s next move confirmed following Leigh Leopards exit|author=Ben Olawumi|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ricky-leuteles-next-move-confirmed-following-leigh-leopards-exit#:~:text=Ricky%20Leutele%20has%20found%20a,over%20the%20last%20two%20years.}}

=Representative=

On 3 May 2014, Leutele played for Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Fiji at centre in Samoa's 32–16 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/gutsy-samoa-secures-place-in-four-nations-tournament-following-win-over-fiji/story-fni3fbgz-1226904268873|title=Gutsy Samoa Secures Place in Four Nations Tournament|website=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}}

On 7 October 2014, Leutele was named in the Samoa 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/toa-samoa-name-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82434/default.aspx|title=Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad|website=NRL.com|access-date=2015-12-18}} Leutele played in one match for Samoa in the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/aug/24/sharks-set-for-wooden-spoon-after-defeat-to-raiders/|title=Sharks set for wooden spoon after defeat to Raiders|website=The Guardian}}

On 2 May 2015, Leutele played for Samoa in their Polynesian Cup clash with Pacific rivals Tonga, playing at centre in Samoa's 18–16 win at Cbus Super Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/video-sam-kasiano-try-saving-tackle-on-jorge-taufua-secures-pacific-test-win-for-samoan-against-tonga/story-e6frf3ou-1227331678892|title=Sam Kasiano Try Saving Tackle on Jorge Taufua Secures Pacific Test Win for Samoa Against Tonga|website=Foxsports.com.au|access-date=2015-12-18}}

On 7 May 2016, Leutele played for Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup against Tonga, where he played at centre and scored a try in the 18–6 win at Parramatta Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/samoa-too-good-for-tonga-in-fiery-pacific-test-clash-at-pirtek-stadium/news-story/aa55d4e66b709a32a0637457807f329e|title=Samoa triumph over Tonga in brutal affair|website=Dailytelegrpah.com.au|access-date=6 October 2017}}

On 25 June 2021 Leutele played for the Combined Nations All Stars in their 26-24 victory over England, staged at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, as part of England’s 2021 Rugby League World Cup preparation.

Statistics

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Team

!Games

!Tries

!Pts

2010

| rowspan="9" |{{Leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

2011

2012

|16

2013

2014

|23

2015

|23

|28

2016

|19

|24

2017

|25

|28

2018

|25

|12

2019

|{{leagueicon|toronto|12}} Toronto Wolfpack

|28

|18

|72

rowspan="2" |2020

|{{leagueicon|toronto|12}} Toronto Wolfpack

{{Leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm

2021

| rowspan="2" |{{Leagueicon|Huddersfield|12}} Huddersfield Giants

|14

|20

2022

|23

|15

|60

2023

| rowspan="2" |{{Leagueicon|Leigh|12}} Leigh Leopards

|20

|16

2024

|30

|11

|44

2025

|{{leagueicon|Souths Logan Magpies|16}} Souths Logan Magpies

|Totals

|251

|85

|340

References

External links

[https://www.torontowolfpack.com/ricky-leutele/ Toronto Wolfpack profile]
[https://www.sharks.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/cronulla-sutherland-sharks/ricky-leutele/ Cronulla Sharks profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122340/http://www.sharks.com.au/team/profiles/ricky-leutele.html Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks profile]
[http://www.nrl.com/stats/telstrapremiership/playerstatistics/tabid/10877/default.aspx NRL profile]
[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=381#Ricky-Leutele 2017 RLWC profile]