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Dene Halatau announces NRL retirement
Published: July 18, 2016 - 10:06AM
Wests Tigers veteran Dene Halatau will hang up his boots at the end of the 2016 NRL season.
The 33-year-old utility, who has played 241 games for the Wests Tigers and Canterbury, confirmed his retirement on Monday.
"I felt as though the time is right and it's something that I've been thinking about for a long time now," Halatau said.
Halatau won a premiership with the Wests Tigers in 2005, before shifting to Canterbury in 2010 for a four-year stint.
He then returned to the Tigers on a two-year deal in 2014, and his contract was eventually renewed for another season heading into this year.
"I was grateful to the club, JT [Jason Taylor] and the coaching staff for giving me this year; I still feel as though I'm playing good enough football to contribute well for the team," he said.
"I've had a few little injuries over the past season that have just been quite frustrating more than anything.
"While I'm still feeling okay I think it's the right time to hang the boots up."
Previously a back-rower, Halatau has become Taylor's answer to the No.9 conundrum this season with hooker Matt Ballin injured and his preference to play Robbie Farah from the bench.
"He has great advice and sets a great example for every player at Wests Tigers, not just the young ones but the older guys also look to him for leadership and he will be sorely missed at the club," Taylor said.
AAP
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...announces-nrl-retirement-20160718-gq7unc.html
Published: July 18, 2016 - 10:06AM
Wests Tigers veteran Dene Halatau will hang up his boots at the end of the 2016 NRL season.
The 33-year-old utility, who has played 241 games for the Wests Tigers and Canterbury, confirmed his retirement on Monday.
"I felt as though the time is right and it's something that I've been thinking about for a long time now," Halatau said.
Halatau won a premiership with the Wests Tigers in 2005, before shifting to Canterbury in 2010 for a four-year stint.
He then returned to the Tigers on a two-year deal in 2014, and his contract was eventually renewed for another season heading into this year.
"I was grateful to the club, JT [Jason Taylor] and the coaching staff for giving me this year; I still feel as though I'm playing good enough football to contribute well for the team," he said.
"I've had a few little injuries over the past season that have just been quite frustrating more than anything.
"While I'm still feeling okay I think it's the right time to hang the boots up."
Previously a back-rower, Halatau has become Taylor's answer to the No.9 conundrum this season with hooker Matt Ballin injured and his preference to play Robbie Farah from the bench.
"He has great advice and sets a great example for every player at Wests Tigers, not just the young ones but the older guys also look to him for leadership and he will be sorely missed at the club," Taylor said.
AAP
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...announces-nrl-retirement-20160718-gq7unc.html
