Tremendous League play-offs 2021: Retiring Leeds Rhinos half-back Rob Lui on how rugby league saved him from jail

Lui has starred in each the NRL and Tremendous League, however believes his life might have been a lot totally different had it not been for rugby league. “If it wasn’t for the sport, I reckon I would be again dwelling, and I do not know what I would been doing – I would most likely be in jail or someplace,” he stated

Rob Lui is grateful for the life a profession in rugby league has given him

Rob Lui has loved an 11-year profession on the highest stage of rugby league, however the retiring Leeds Rhinos half-back is in little doubt his life might have been a lot totally different had it not been for the game he loves.

The 31-year-old has starred in each the NRL and Tremendous League, first with Wests Tigers after which in his dwelling metropolis of Townsville with North Queensland Cowboys, adopted by shifting the world over to the UK with Salford Crimson Devils in 2016 earlier than switching to Leeds two and a half years in the past.

His time with Wests, nonetheless, led to 2011 when he was launched after being charged with assaulting his former companion – an offence which he later pled responsible to, being fined and positioned on a two-year good behaviour bond in addition to being handed a prolonged suspension by the NRL as a consequence.

Since then, Lui has turned each his life and taking part in profession round and, as he prepares to hold up his boots on the finish of the 2021 season, he seems again and thinks how a lot rugby league – and notably his transfer to Tremendous League 5 years in the past – has in any other case helped him keep away from a lifetime of crime.

“Tremendous League most likely saved my profession,” Lui stated. “I got here down right here, had a couple of dramas again dwelling, however Tremendous League has made me discover my love for rugby league once more.

“That is why I’ve stayed right here; I’ve loved it, it is made me a greater father, made me a greater individual and also you meet new individuals.

“I’ve had my ups, I’ve had my downs and I have been at my low level, however then rugby league has introduced me again to my excessive level.

If it wasn’t for the sport, I reckon I would be again dwelling, and I do not know what I would been doing – I would most likely be in jail or someplace.

Leeds’ Rob Lui

“If it wasn’t for the sport, I reckon I would be again dwelling, and I do not know what I would been doing – I would most likely be in jail or someplace.”

Lui’s determination to name time on his top-level skilled profession was largely motivated by the will to deliver up his younger household again dwelling to Australia and be nearer to their family members after almost six years on these shores, though he nonetheless hopes to maintain taking part in at part-time stage in Queensland.

He desires to show his consideration to serving to children via rugby league as properly, utilizing his experiences to point out the place the game can take them in the event that they dedicate themselves to it, together with having the opportunity of pursuing off-field careers as both a instructor’s aide at his old skool or within the discipline of youth justice.

Lui has already been passing recommendation on to the following technology on the Rhinos, the place he enthuses concerning the likes of 17-year-old ahead Morgan Gannon and 21-year-old centre Harry Newman, after taking up one thing of a mentor position for the membership’s children quickly after becoming a member of.

Stevie Ward makes his predictions forward of Leeds Rhinos’ play-off eliminator in opposition to Wigan Warriors dwell on Sky Sports activities

“I got here from Salford the place there have been heaps of older fellas and after I got here to Leeds there have been heaps of younger youngsters who simply needed the whole lot and needed to be one of the best,” Lui stated.

“That made me into the position I’ve now and, for me, if I take that again dwelling, I can inform them when you put your thoughts to one thing you’ll be able to find yourself all over the world because of rugby league.

“I am all about their sport and the way I get one of the best out of them, but it surely’s concerning the off-field stuff too. As a younger child once you’re not getting picked, it hurts, and I have been there. I simply say to them they have to maintain working and take their alternative when it comes with each arms and it has occurred for many of them.

“If I can depart my print on then, it is simply to be relaxed about the whole lot and do not take your footy dwelling. While you’re at dwelling, calm down, however once you’re at coaching that is your job and what you have to give your all to.”

Highlights of the Tremendous League conflict between Leeds Rhinos and Hull Kingston Rovers

Lui has already performed his closing sport at Leeds’ Emerald Headingley dwelling, scoring a high-quality solo strive within the 36-12 win over Hull Kingston Rovers final Friday within the closing spherical of Tremendous League’s common season.

He’s decided to make sure Thursday’s journey to Wigan Warriors within the elimination play-off, dwell on Sky Sports activities, won’t be the final time he pulls on a Leeds shirt both and including a Grand Closing winners’ ring to final 12 months’s Problem Cup closing success could be the dream strategy to bow out.

No matter occurs within the play-offs although, Lui will look again with nice fondness on his two-and-a-half years taking part in for the Rhinos after being a key part of their revival under Richard Agar’s stewardship.

“It has been an emotional trip,” Lui stated. “I got here right here when Leeds weren’t going too good and, to be sincere, they only wanted a few previous heads to get one of the best out of every participant.

I’ve cherished this metropolis and the individuals right here – they’ve made me their very own and assist us it doesn’t matter what once we win or lose.

Rob Lui on his time with Leeds

“It has been one of the best time of my life; going to Wembley, despite the fact that there have been no followers, it felt loud and the strain was on us and you would see after we received the sport we had been in shock as a result of we would by no means felt like that as a bunch.

“The 12 months earlier than that, we had been preventing relegation after which quick ahead and we’re at Wembley. The membership is at an excellent place now, I imagine, and good juniors are the important thing.

“I’ve cherished this metropolis and the individuals right here – they’ve made me their very own and assist us it doesn’t matter what once we win or lose.”