NRL fans and fellow players are paying tribute to Ricky Leutele after the Cronulla Sharks premiership winner announced his retirement from professional rugby league. The 35-year-old played 249 first-grade games across a 14-year career in the NRL and Super League.
He played 128 games for Cronulla from 2010 to 2018, helping the Sharks win their maiden NRL premiership in 2016. Leutele played in the centres in the grand final that year as the Sharks beat the Melbourne Storm 14-12 to lift the trophy.
Ricky Leutele (bottom left) with Cronulla Sharks teammates after the 2016 NRL grand final. (Image: AAP)
He played seven Tests for Tonga during his time in the NRL, and played one game for the Melbourne Storm in 2020. He had stints with the Toronto Wolfpack (2019), Huddersfield Giants (2021 and 2022) and Leigh Leopards (2023 and 2024) in the Super League, and didn’t play in 2025 after moving back to Australia.
He announced on social media in the last week that he’s decided to hang up the boots. “12 months since we moved back from England, and this year has given me the chance to really reflect on my career,” he wrote. “What a ride it has been. Just a kid from Logan, Woodridge with big dreams of playing just one game of NRL, going on to play 14 years professionally across the NRL and Super League – it’s something I could have only dreamed of.
“Over the years there were setbacks, injuries, and moments of self-doubt that challenged me. Every obstacle only made me stronger. Even when quitting felt like the easier option, I’m proud I pushed through. Along the way I was fortunate enough to hit milestones, win a premiership, play for my country, and represent my culture and family.”
Ricky Leutele last played for Leigh Leopards in the Super League in 2024. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Former Cronulla teammate Andrew Fifita is among the many paying tribute to Ricky Leutele. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
NRL world pays tribute to Ricky Leutele
Leutele paid tribute to his wife, children, parents and siblings, as well as thanking the Sharks, Storm, Wolfpack, Huddersfield and Leigh Leopards. “Forever grateful for the memories, friendships, and lessons,” he wrote. “Excited for what’s ahead and to give back to the next generation chasing a dream like the life I was fortunate enough to live.”
It means Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird are the only remaining players from the Sharks’ 2016 grand final team still playing professionally. Chad Townsend, who was the starting halfback, also retired at the end of the 2025 NRL season.
Former teammates Holmes, Townsend, Andrew Fifita, Joseph Paulo and Gerard Beale were among the many to pay tribute to Leutele on social media. The official Cronulla Sharks account wrote: “Congratulations Ricky! What a career! See you soon at the 10 year reunion.”