Australia captain Boyd Cordner confirms retirement due to concussions

Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has announced his immediate retirement from the sport due to concussions, aged 29.

The New South Wales and Australia skipper has not played since being knocked out in the opening game of the 2020 State of Origin series last November, and has been forced to retire due to the effects of repeated head injuries.

Cordner made his NRL debut in round 13 of the 2011 season and made 181 first-team appearances for the Roosters. He won 20 caps for Australia and was a member of two World Cup-winning squads. He was named Kangaroos’ captain in 2018.

He made 16 appearances for New South Wales between 2013-2020, winning three series, two of those as captain.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to come to, but it’s the right one,” said Cordner.

“I’ve had some time to reflect on my career and I hang up the boots a very proud man. I’m so lucky to have had the opportunities I’ve had over the years, and to do it all at a club like the Sydney Roosters means the world to me.”

He added: “The last six months or so have been a really challenging time in my life.

“All I ever wanted to do was get back and play the game that I love and most importantly for the club I love.

“I am at a stage now where I am doing really well. I’m fine, I’m back at training with the team and I was getting ready and prepared to play.

“But, deep down I knew I wasn’t 100 per cent fully recovered. The feeling of going out (and playing) and what the next head knock looked like to me, I couldn’t get that out of my head.”