Each Monday we turn the spotlight on the game’s leading names and get them to reveal a little more about themselves and share their secrets with the readers.

This week Trevor Baxter caught up with Leeds Rhinos’ play-off semi-final try scoring hero, Liam Sutcliffe.

“Sutty’s’ second half touch down sent the Headingley outfit into a record equalling 10th Grand Final.

  • Name: Liam Sutcliffe
  • DOB: November 25, 1994
  • Born: Leeds
  • Clubs: Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls (on loan)
  • Position:  Stand-off, centre, full-back

First ever game of rugby league?

“It was at Oulton Raiders when I was about five or six. I started out in a team called Rocky’s Mini Raiders. I can’t remember if we won or who we played but I used to run backwards and tackle my own players because I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.”

First girlfriend?

“There were a couple of girls in High School I used to talk to but I wasn’t a Casanova! I just tried to play it cool.”

Hardest opponent faced?

“Gareth Ellis- He is an absolute machine and when you try and tackle him, he is absolutely solid.”

Most famous person met?

“Matt Lewis who was Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. Matt’s a big Rhinos fans as I think a lot of people know now. I watched the first two films but I lost interest after that. Sorry, Matt.”

Favourite other sport?

“I used to enjoy playing basketball when I was at High School. I just used to stand near the basket and the rest of the team would throw me the ball and I’d try to score. I wasn’t too bad.”

Best place visited?

“Probably Australia. I toured there with England Academy in 2012 and loved the place, especially Brisbane and Sydney. I’ve not been back since but still got fond memories.”

Favourite clothes shop?

“Probably somewhere like Top Man or Zara. Online is another place and you can get everything through Aesos.”

Heaviest weights lifted?

“The other year when I was injured I did none stop bench pressing and managed to do 145kg which I thought was pretty good at the time.”

Most painful injury?

“Rupturing my anterior cruciate ligament against Hull FC in 2015. It wasn’t so much the pain just the frustration of being out for so long. I didn’t have a clue it was so bad until I got the scan the following week. To me it just felt like a sore knee!”

Best Mate outside rugby?

“Going to have to go for one in the game-team mate Ash Handley. We hang out quite a bit away from rugby.”

What boots do you wear?

“I have got a pair of Nikes (moulds) and a pair of XBlades (studs). Size 10.”

 

What do you drive?

“Audi A4.”

What would you like to drive?

“Wouldn’t mind a ‘Rangey’ (Range Rover) but I can’t see myself being able to afford one.”

What job would you liked to have done if you hadn’t been a rugby league player?

“I did a gym instructor’s course when I left school and have got the qualifications. It’s not something I want to do with it. I want to start a plumbing course as soon as possible. It’s a night school course I can do in my spare time and I want to get a trade behind me.”

Any rule you would like to see brought in or taken out of the game?

“The obstruction rule seems to get a lot of criticism. So, I would like them to look at that and be clearer on what is and what’s not obstruction.”

If someone was to make a film about your life who would you want to play you and what certificate would it be?

“Brad Pitt for obvious reasons. It would just be 15.”

Karaoke song?

“I don’t like karaoke but if I had to get up and sing I’d do ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis. Everyone loves that song so they would all join in straight away.”

Favourite book? 

“I am not a great reader if I am honest.”

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