– Hall of Fame member James Leuluai is the latest of our legendary ex-players we’ve caught up with during lockdown.
-Leuluai recalls how he decided to join the Black & Whites, with his decision helped by playing against FC with New Zealand in 1980.
– The centre also discusses his memories of the 1982 and 1985 Challenge Cup Finals, as well as playing in Hull Derbies against Hull KR
In the latest of our Throwback Thurday ex-player feature interviews, we caught up with James Leuluai to discuss some of his best memories form his playing days at the Black & Whites in the 1980s.
The former Kiwi international, a Hull FC Hall of Fame member for his exploits during his eight impressive years with the club, joined the Airlie Birds at the start of one of the club’s most impressive eras in the 1980s.
Coming from playing the amateur game in New Zealand, alongside fellow international team-mates Dane O’Hara and Gary Kemble, Leuluai is regarded as one of the greatest centres to ever pull on the Hull FC jerseys, scoring some of the greatest tries in living memory at the club.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Leuluai explained how his move to Hull first came about in 1980, having experienced playing in the city for the first time in the New Zealand tour of Great Britain in France.
“I was first approached about heading to the club in 1980. I was part of the New Zealand touring side that had played Great Britain and some of the club sides over here. Dick Gemmell was the Lions Touring Manager at the time.
“We arrived back in London from out two tests in France at the end of the tour and he made the suggestion that I came back and signed for Hull. We’d played against Hull at Boothferry Park during the tour and I couldn’t believe how vocal and atmospheric the crowd were.
“I said yes straight away. At the time, I was only playing amateur rugby in New Zealand with Mt Wellington – having already seen the club and the fans, it was an easy decision for me to join such a tremendous side.
“It was time for me to go up a level in my career. For me, I just wanted to play at a higher level. So it was a superb opportunity for me.”
Leuluai’s first experience playing in Hull was impressive enough to make him want to come back and play for the Black & Whites, and like many other overseas players, it was the level of support the club had behind it that impressed him the most.
“I remember arriving coming into Hull over the bridge on the bus for that club match in the tour, I could see all these people walking towards the ground, and I couldn’t believe they were all going to the same place as we was to watch their side in action against us – I think that match got the highest attendance of the tour with about 16.000, more than any of the test matches.
“We parked the bus up and we were pretty taken aback by it all. I remember going into the changing rooms and all we could hear was the singing and chanting outside. There was such a buzz in the air and that occasion really sold it to me. I’d never experienced anything like it.
“With Dane O’Hara and Gary Kemble heading to Hull too, it was a no-brainer for me. I got a couple of offers from Australian sides at the time but it was only going to be Hull for me. I played with Gary since I was five years old, so having those familiar faces there really helped me settle in.”
Leuluai was a key man during Hull’s historic 1981/82 season when they would finally get their hands on the Challenge Cup for the second-time, waiting 68 years since their last win in the competition.
Although he wasn’t selected for the original fixture at Wembley in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final against Widnes, he still has strong memories of experiencing the national stadium for the first time.
“I remember seeing Wembley on TV when I was younger back home in New Zealand, but it was mainly soccer matches like the FA Cup Finals, so I wasn’t entirely aware how much the Challenge Cup meant to Rugby League fans over here at first.
“The build-up was really special. We left for Wembley on the train about four days before and even when we left, there were thousands of fans that waved us off. Then when the match came around, we obviously didn’t play as well as we could that day but the support was unbelievable – it was all three times the club went to Wembley during my time at the club.
“It’s hard to explain to everyone back home the feeling of walking out in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. You really have to stop yourself getting caught up in the occasion because it can get to you.”
However, Leuluai was involved in the famous replay match at Elland Road three weeks later, a game that he regards as the biggest highlight of his playing career.
“The replay was one of the most special days of my career. You play the game because you love it, but you play to win trophies too, and to win it at Elland Road and see all the happy faces from our supporters was such an incredible feeling.
“Looking round and seeing the emotion on the faces of players in the squad, that’s when you realise all the hard work in training throughout the season has paid off. It meant a lot to us, and especially to those local boys. I love talking about it because it brings back some of the best memories of my playing career.
“Then we brought the cup back to Hull the next day. We had a civic reception at the City Hall and had thousands and thousands of supporters welcome us home. Lifting that trophy on the balcony was a special feeling – winning the cup is by far and away the best moment of my career.
“I never had to buy a pint of beer again – it took me a while to get used to the beer over here first! Those guys back in them days used to have it warm – we’re used to having cold bottles back in New Zealand, but I got used to bitter after a while!
Leuluai also has strong memories of the famous 1985 final against Wigan at Wembley Stadium – a game in which he scored a long-range try regarded as one of the best in cup final history. And despite the result going against Hull that day, he still hold positive memories.
“Scoring tries like that was just my job in the team. I knew my role and responsibilities in the team and it was just about me taking the opportunities that came my way in that match. It was an awesome final but it just wasn’t to be for us that day – if the game had been five minutes longer, who knows!
“Dave Topliss would just tell me to get outside my opposite man, I’d follow his run and he’d find me right at the right moment to get the ball and race away. If I didn’t have those players around me, my job wouldn’t have been that easy. I always had Dane O’Hara running alongside me in support too, and he was faster than me.
“I was just part of the big jigsaw, you need those guys to get us up the field, the guys to create the gaps, and the guys to finish it off. We had a great team set-up.
“Those moments flash by in an instant, and despite the result, it was a great day for Rugby League.”
The former Hull centre also reflected on some of the other key players he played alomgside in a squad regraded as one of the greatest in Hull’s history.
“I couldn’t believe how young Lee Crooks was – he had so much maturity about him and it didn’t take him long at all to stamp his mark on the team – he’s one of the best forwards I’ve played with. Steve Evans was so quick on his feet, as well as Dane (O’Hara) and Gary (Kemble) in the backs. We had some impressive guys in the pack too; Trevor Skerrett, Tony Duke, Ron Wileman, Charlie Stone and obviously Steve Norton.
“And what about Sammy Lloyd kicking those goals. I’d never seen somebody so accurate with the boot before. He kicked them with ease – planted the ball on the touchline and slotted it nine times out of ten. From both sides of the field too! He was so clam about it too. I remember him kicking one from half-way too once.
“Another guy I got on really well with was Mick Crane. He’d sit in the corner quietly in the changing rooms, but then he’d be out on the field and he’d be running the opposition team ragged. He had a great skill-set too – he used to send me some great balls out wide, not bad for a big man!
Leuluai also had the pleasure of featuring in plenty of Hull Derbies down the years in an era that was successful for both of the cities clubs, adding: “People back home in New Zealand ask me “What are those Derby matches all about James?” and it’s really hard to put into words. I enjoyed some really great battles against them during my time at the club. I remember not leaving the house for about 4 days after we lost one one time – it was that intense!
“It was a good era for both clubs, not just us, but Hull KR too. Obviously they had some great players like Roger Millward so it made the matches even better that both teams were in strong positions at the time.
“Everybody used to be at the games. Nobody was walking the streets on Derby Day, everyone was at the ground! I think you have to play in one to really appreciate what its like. It was just about making sure you was on the right side of the scoreline at the end of the day!
“I had a car with my name on as part of a sponsors deal. I remember leaving the ground after a Derby match we won once, and the car wasn’t looking to good! But its all part of the fun isn’t it.”
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