Sporting free spirit Cuthbertson thriving ‘back home’ in England
Leeds forward Adam Cuthbertson has settled in well at Leeds, as his selection to the 2015 Super League Dream Team attests.
Selected at loose forward in the Dream Team, Cuthbertson has played there and at prop for the Rhinos, attracting plaudits for his handling and off-loading skills.
The 30-year-old moved to Leeds from the Newcastle Knights at the start of the season, and he has no regrets about swapping New South Wales for the West Riding of Yorkshire.
“It’s been great, I’ve had a really enjoyable year,” he told Love Rugby League.
“I’ve made some great mates along the way in this team, and I’m seeing off a lot of good mates at the end of the year.
“So to be able to join the likes of Jamie Peacock, Kallum Watkins and Zak Hardaker, and to be in this dream team is great.
“The Cup win has been unreal, and winning the League Leaders last Friday has made it a bit of a dream so far.
“Hopefully we can go one better and take the trifecta.
“But we’ve got a long journey ahead of us before that. We’ve got Saints to deal with.
“They’re looking good at the moment, and they’ve got big Al Walmsley back, so we’ve got a big fight on our hands.”
Being named in the Dream Team is something which Cuthbertson seems to take great pride, and he would love to be able to take to the field alongside the other 12 players named.
“What would be very cool would be if we could take on the NRL Dream Team,” he said.
“I don’t know what the boys opinions would be on that, because obviously there’s a lot of games dated in the calendar.
“I’m sure one more game wouldn’t be what everyone is after, but playing in a team with these sort of blokes would be great.”
One thing which many observers have noted this season is Cuthbertson’s ability to off-load the ball out of the tackle.
The skill has allowed Leeds to play a free-flowing and highly entertaining style of play, which has seen them take the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders Shield so far this season.
Cuthbertson attibutes his handling skills to playing a range of sports in his youth in Australia.
“It’s been great. I heard someone called me ‘free-spirited’ in my play!” he said.
“I am a bit, because I played different sports, a lot of different codes, growing up.
“So there are lot of different fundamentals I’ve learned along the way and skills.
“I played a lot of basketball growing up, and rugby union, and league as well.
“I picked up a lot of good skills along the way, and I try to use them as best as I can.
“I never was the quickest or anything like that as a kid, so I had to beat players with skills.
“I like to learn a lot from the game and I study it quite heavily, so I like to go out and play what I see, and enjoy my footy, like I’m down the park.”
The Aussie-born forward also has a father from Warrington, which has put him in the frame for an England call-up to face France and the Kiwis.
The former Manly player would be honoured to wear the white shirt.
“Defintitely, and I’d do it with all my heart too,” he asserted.
“It’s a great honour to represent England, and do my part in trying to knock off the current world champions.
“I’d love to, but I don’t want to speak too soon, and a lot of work’s to be done before the season’s end.”