Leeds Rhinos legend returns to the club for final game of his career

Former Leeds Rhinos star Adam Cuthbertson will bring down the curtain on his highly successful career with a final guest appearance for his old club on Saturday night when Leeds take on New Zealand in the Bartercard International Challenge, kick off 6pm, at Headingley. 

Cuthbertson joined the Rhinos in 2015 and lit up Super League with his incredible offloading skills as he finished as runner up to Zak Hardaker for the Man of Steel title before helping the Rhinos win the Treble.

He was Leeds’ only pre-season signing going into 2015 though was later joined by Mitch Garbutt as both played a key role in guiding the Rhinos to a clean sweep of silverware.

Cuthbertson played a vital role in the development of Mikolaj Oledzki at Leeds as well often coming off the bench together at the start of 2020. He also helped develop the women’s game at Headingley coaching them to the double in 2019.

He added a second Grand Final title to his collection in 2017 and was part of the Rhinos side that won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2020. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in that game that ended his time at the club. However, he will be back in a Rhinos jersey for one last time on Saturday night.

Tickets for the Bartercard International Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand on Saturday 8th October are available now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk

Commenting on the news, Cuthbertson said, “It is strange to think I’ll get an opportunity to run out at Headingley. The Rhinos will always have a special place in my heart. I spent a good portion of my career at the club, the jersey means so much to me and the club have done so much for me, it is always a special occasion in front of the home fans so I can not wait for Saturday night.

“My time ended at the Rhinos in an odd fashion. Finishing my career at Leeds by winning the Challenge Cup was a brilliant way to go out but obviously due to Covid and an empty Wembley, it was a bit numbing and strange for a major event. Lifting silverware is always special, whether that’s the Challenge Cup, a Grand Final or your Under 6s Cup but due to the times, it was such an odd experience. I picked up a bad injury that put me out of the game for nine months and I finished my time at the Rhinos as a ballboy in games behind closed doors. To come home and do it one last time, especially with some of the lads I started the journey with, will be an honour.

“To be part of a team with Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe and Liam Sutcliffe again will make it even more special however I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up with Zak like I once did!” added Cuthbertson.

Cuthbertson will be playing against the touring Kiwis for Leeds for the second time in his career as one of the survivors from the game at Headingley back in 2015. The forward says that games remains one of the highlights of his career and he can not wait to do it all over again this week. He revealed, “That was such a great experience.  That week, I don’t think any of us knew what to expect, we had a few of the old boys coming back and play for us, Ali Lauitiiti and Adrian Morley, and I think that made it special in its own right.

“It was a relaxed week but when we crossed the line and got through the Haka and into position, I remember it being all on. We got to send Kylie Leuluai off in the right way and hopefully we can do that for the departing players this week. We really went for it and performed and competed so well for those lads who were moving on or retiring and that made it a quality game. We went out to play expansive eyes up rugby, and played the conditions well. We felt we had an advantage having just played a season in Super League, their NRL players were a bit taken aback with the slippery conditions. We played a style of rugby that suited us and challenged them, we went out there in front of 20,000 fans and I’m sure they can all agree it was an insane match!” added Cuthbertson.