Price to retire at seasons end
The NRL‘s longest serving player, New Zealand Warriors forward Steve Price has announced that he will retire at the end of the current season.
Price, 36, has made a total of 313 appearances for his current club and the Canterbury Bulldogs and feels the time is right to hang up his boots.
“I’ve been thinking for some time about retirement. At my age I couldn’t go on forever and this just seemed to be the right time,” he said.
“I’ve had an unbelievable time playing for my two clubs the Vodafone Warriors and the Bulldogs. I can’t say enough about what they’ve both done for me and for my family.
They’re times I’ll never forget, playing with some fantastic players and working with some great coaches. And I’ve also had the honour of playing for both Australia and Queensland. That has been massive for me.”
“But it hasn’t all ended yet. I’m committed to getting my heel injury right and getting back on the field for the Vodafone Warriors as soon as I can. I certainly intend to finish my last season in the game making a contribution on the field.”
Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Price had distinguished himself as one of the game’s great front rowers over a lengthy career.
“He has been our player of the year twice and has always amazed us with the capacity he has to keep performing at such a consistently high standard,” he said.
“He has been frustrated by injury so far this season but we’re expecting him back soon and know he’ll contribute to the team the way he always has. There’s no question he has been vital to helping to turn the Vodafone Warriors around after some tough times a few years ago.”
During a career which started at first-grade level in 1994, Price has played 15 Tests for Australia and has represented Queensland 28 times in State of Origin, the most by a forward in Origin history. He also played a guest player for the All Golds in England in 2007.
