Retiring Kiwi league player Kylie Leuluai has revealed he played on after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat midway through the Super League season.
The Leeds Rhinos prop signed off on a glittering 16-year-career in Sunday's grand final win over Wigan, but later said he had considered retiring following theChallenge Cup final win over Hull KR in August.
"It has been a tough and challenging year. I really thought about it," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
"Having an irregular heartbeat takes 20% 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. [Coach] Brian McDermott 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."
Sunday's victory gave Leuluai his sixth Super League title with Leeds and the perfect end to his playing career after joining the Rhinos from Manly in 2007. He has not lost a single decider he has played in for the club and the Auckland-born 37-year-old is now officially the Rhinos' most successful overseas player.
He also holds a claim to being New Zealand's most successful league export, having also won the Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge twice each.
The 37-year-old will remain with the club, working as a welfare support officer, and says there are no concerns for his long-term health.
"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," he said.
"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."
