Adrian Hadley was born in Cardiff, Wales, he was a pupil at Lady Mary High School.
He was selected for the 1987 Rugby World Cup, helping Wales finish in third place.
His most memorable game for Wales was in the team's opening match of the 1988 Five Nations against England at Twickenham, scoring two tries in a 11–3 win.
[5][6] Hadley later switched codes and moved north to join Salford and represented the Wales national rugby league team.
He played left wing in Salford's 17–22 defeat by Wigan in the 1988 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1988–89 season at Knowsley Road, St Helens on Sunday 23 October 1988,[7] and played left wing in the 24–18 defeat by Widnes in the 1990 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1990–91 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 September 1990.