Posted by It was the news we all expected was coming but didn’t want to believe. Rey Lee-Lo is hanging up his boots this summer after a 16 year professional career including a decade at Cardiff Rugby.
When the club made the announcement on Wednesday evening ahead of the Samoan receiving a special recognition award at the end of season do, the outpouring of love and appreciation for a special player and human was noticeable from supporters of the Blue & Blacks as well as those outside the Arms Park bubble.
Simultaneous to that were the calls for some sort of send-off for Rey; a presentation to supporters at a game next season or some sort of testimonial. Yet, when the announcement of his retirement came out with no fanfare, no long, emotional video, not even a quote on the club website, it managed to perfectly encapsulate a man who did all of his talking with his performances on the field.
In fact it dawned on me when the club put out some highlights of Lee-Lo receiving the award that him speaking to players, staff and sponsors there might be only the second time I’ve heard him speaking on a public platform like that, after one pre-game media appearance a few years back. Not just shunning the limelight but pretending it doesn’t even exist.
The 38-year-old is a silent assassin. He doesn’t shout or scream on the pitch, he doesn’t get involved in verbals with the opposition, he doesn’t talk to the referee, and you’d do well to catch him on the field at the end of a home game when supporters flock on to the Arms Park. He turns up, goes about his business, and goes home.
His business though, is what sets him apart. Rey Lee-Lo deals in the business of unbelievably high level play over a long period of time. He is vastly underrated outside of Cardiff but he has undeniably been one of the best centres in domestic rugby over the last decade at the club, a longevity and consistency that few can match across the history of the game.
In attack he can be a physical presence on a short line, and a line breaking option in the wider channels with an uncanny ability to beat the first defender. He has power and brute force, but soft touches particularly post-contact that open up attacking opportunity for teammates, as well as the work rate to run killer decoy lines and create space for others to work in.
Defensively that physicality extends to the tackle area where he is rarely caught slipping off opponents, while the work rate and bravery get him covering a huge amount of ground in the defensive line and often popping up to win crucial turnovers. His key point of difference though is his consistently accurate spot blitzing which is a world class skill he possesses.
There’s always debate about Cardiff’s greatest ever players, and particularly greatest ever overseas players, as the intrigue and appreciation for those who came in from all over the globe is something we feel keenly at the Arms Park. That debate often falls down over differing views on what attributes are rated highest though.
There’s been players who are unbelievably skilled, the likes of Casey Laulala and Ben Blair, then there’s been your more physical workhorses in the form of a Dan Baugh or Paul Tito, talismanic figures that would be followed into battle in the mould of Xavier Rush or Ma’ama Molitika, or popular individuals alongside being top players such as Willis Halaholo and Blaine Scully.
For my money though Rey Lee-Lo has the best mix of all of the above, putting him right at the top of my list and firmly in consideration for a Cardiff Rugby all-time XV while acknowledging some of the most historic names in the club and world rugby’s history in that midfield.
On a personal level what makes the Samoan so special to my eyes is that he turns up and puts on these on-field clinics week-in, week-out while balancing his professional life with a family life that is far from straightforward. He works incredibly hard to make sure things are right off the pitch, including the rumoured turning down of major French moves in favour of the Lee-Lo clan remaining settled and happy.
Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season I was fortunate enough to grab a photo with Rey along with my then one-year-old son Dewi. That is a photo I’ll treasure, being able to tell him that he met the great Cardiff player Rey Lee-Lo and I was privileged enough to witness his entire decade at the Arms Park.
That’s not just because he was one of the best players ever to grace the famous old ground, but also because he’s a thoroughly good man and the kind of role model I’d want Dewi to get out of subjecting him to supporting the Blue & Blacks.
It was pleasing to hear Matt Sherratt speak about keeping Rey around the club in a capacity that is yet to be determined. Whether it’s some sort of assistant coach, transition coach or player mentor his persona and experience will be hugely vital to the squad and particularly the young players coming through the academy and into the senior squad.
And perhaps he could have an “emergency outside centre” option written in to that new contract too!
For now though it’s a moment to celebrate one of the greatest players and men to pull on the jersey, and say thank you to Rey Lee-Lo and his family for all they have given to the club over the last decade. Here’s to another 10 years of impact in a different capacity!
Thank you/Diolch/Fa’afetai, Rey.
Cardiff Rugby Life 