sad news, I thought he actually would have been a good chance to start on the wing. He seemed like a winger who actually knew how to play the position properly (unlike many past balmain wingers). It's a shame to see him retire at only 28. Without his injuries I think he would have contributed well to our side last year, it's dissapointing he never really got a good chance to be a part of the side.
Beckett retires from NRL
November 12, 2003
AN injury-plaged 2003 was the main factor behind Wests Tigers winger Robbie Beckett's decision to retire from the National Rugby League.
His manager Peter Lord today confirmed that the Tigers had released Beckett from his one-year contract, enabling him to move to Tumut in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
The 28-year-old former Penrith flyer will play with the Tumut Blues in the Wagga Wagga competition under captain-coach and former Illawarra, Souths and Western Reds prop Brett Goldspink.
Restricted to only four NRL matches this year because of injuries, a dislocated hip at the end of this season was the last straw for Beckett, who plans to eventually run a pub in Tumut.
Beckett is best remembered this year for smashing Newcastle fullback Robbie O'Davis in a tackle which left the Queenslander with horrific facial injuries from a fiery round seven NRL clash.
"It was just an accident," Beckett said today. "These things happen and I got split open behind the back of the head.
"It was a bad year. I had a few injuries as well ... but it wasn't the best way to go out."
Beckett is looking forward to linking with Goldspink as the pair played together for English club Halifax in 2002.
They were both suspended without pay for two weeks after failing to attend pre-season training.
- crappy telegraph
Beckett retires from NRL
November 12, 2003
AN injury-plaged 2003 was the main factor behind Wests Tigers winger Robbie Beckett's decision to retire from the National Rugby League.
His manager Peter Lord today confirmed that the Tigers had released Beckett from his one-year contract, enabling him to move to Tumut in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
The 28-year-old former Penrith flyer will play with the Tumut Blues in the Wagga Wagga competition under captain-coach and former Illawarra, Souths and Western Reds prop Brett Goldspink.
Restricted to only four NRL matches this year because of injuries, a dislocated hip at the end of this season was the last straw for Beckett, who plans to eventually run a pub in Tumut.
Beckett is best remembered this year for smashing Newcastle fullback Robbie O'Davis in a tackle which left the Queenslander with horrific facial injuries from a fiery round seven NRL clash.
"It was just an accident," Beckett said today. "These things happen and I got split open behind the back of the head.
"It was a bad year. I had a few injuries as well ... but it wasn't the best way to go out."
Beckett is looking forward to linking with Goldspink as the pair played together for English club Halifax in 2002.
They were both suspended without pay for two weeks after failing to attend pre-season training.
- crappy telegraph
