Been playing all year with a heart condition.

Nearly retired after Wembley and it's why he's been playing shorter and shorter minutes these last few games

Oh dear hope he's ok

Eep, glad he's ok D:. At least now he's retired he should be safer

He says there are no long term health problems but he's had an irregular heartbeat issue that can be put right with shock treatment but the procedure/medication involved would have meant he wouldn't have been allowed to play for 3 months.

Article in YEP

Yes it's a common and simple to solve problem basically stop the heart with electric shock and it usually returns back normal. Glad he's ok. Gonna miss his big hits. Enjoyed watching his no nonsense style of play

He hasn't been playing with a condition. That would be absolutely ridiculous and dangerous for it to be allowed.

I went onto say irregular heartbeat, I'd call that a 'condition' if I had it. My apologies if you disagree with the termonology I used but I'm no Doctor

Just when you think you couldn't be prouder or more in awe of the effort and sacrifices these guys have made, Leuluai then stuns you with that story.

Didn't mean to sound like I was having a go. This actually popped up in conversation with my wife earlier, before I'd seen this thread, and therefore knew it was 'news'. His heart has had zero affect on his playing career though.

That's not what he says in the article - he suggests it materially reduces the level of oxygen in his blood (IIRC he quoted 20%), which he reckons is the main reason his spells have been shorter this year.

Kylie said to the YEP

“I was very close to retiring after the Challenge Cup final.

“It has been a tough year and challenging. I really thought about it.

“I’ve had a few medical issues this season – I’ve had some trouble with my heart.

“I’ve ended up getting an irregular heartbeat and I’ve been taking medication for it since I did my shoulder.

“Having an irregular heartbeat takes 20 per cent of the oxygen out of your blood, so it’s been very tough for me physically and it has an effect mentally as well.

“That’s the reason why I’ve been playing shorter minutes. Brian McDermott [Rhinos’ coach and the club had an understanding and I don’t think I could do longer than the stints I was doing because of the implications.”

Leuluai continued: “It started last year.

“It was really strange and a really tough time for me, but Brian has been really good to me.

“He had faith in me to come back and finish the season off as I’m proud of my performances and I wasn’t reaching the expectations I had of myself.

“But doing short stints really helped me.”

Leuluai insisted there are no long-term fears for his health.

He said: “You can get it shocked back into a regular rhythm, but I’ve had to wait as, after you’ve had it, you have to be out for three months because of the procedure and you have to go on medication. It’s quite common in cyclists they reckon, but it’s strange for a rugby player to get it.

“I took the medication and thankfully it got me over the line.”

This just goes to show there are always factors that affect a coaches decision making which the fans know nothing about.

JC-Spot on most of us assumed me included Kylies spells were purely down to a 37yr old prop on the verge of retirement but how wrong were we??
What an immense effort i have to add daft as a brush in some respects but this takes putting it all on the line to a different level.

And he's put his hand up to play against NZ!

He's the unsung Warrior. Complete Respect for this Man of Steel.

Measure of the man. He's just incredible and he is the hardest tackler I've ever seen.

Kylie levelling Masoe in the cc semi is one of the highlights of this stellar season for me

I know he was playing not fit, but also put a crunching hit on Alex Walmsley in the playoff game.
Great player for Leeds. Hurt in attack and defence. No nonsense prop who played hard and straight which endeared him to fans. Is a genuine nice bloke as well.

Around when he had first started for us when I was working I stopped and helped him with some car trouble. About 3 years later was sat in the cricket stands pre game with the missus enjoying pre game drink. Didn't see him coming in but he saw me, and came over and chatted to us both, which I thought was a nice touch.

Well done Kylie. Top bloke you should all be very proud of him.

in 2006 the new kylie and moving jp and jjb to prop didn't look to be working

9 years on jp and kylie still 8 and 10 putting in massive hits and walking round old trafford together . defied nature

wembley 2012 could have been v different if the try after kylies tackle had stood .