Toulouse star Sam Rapira to retire at end of season

Former New Zealand star Sam Rapira will hang up his boots at the end of the season.

The 31-year-oldmade 175 appearances in the NRL for New Zealand Warriors between 2006 and 2015, before spending two seasons at Huddersfield Giants in Super League, where he played 53 games.

Rapira moved to Championship side Toulouse Olympique ahead of this season but after suffering two major injuries to his wrist and bicep this year, he has decided to call it a day after this season.

He said: “I have been in Europe for three years and I only see my family for two weeks a year.

“I want to take advantage of them, and I want my daughters to know their grandparents and great grandparents. This does not mean that we are not good at Toulouse, on the contrary, my wife and I love this city, the people, the way of life here.

“My girls love their life in France, they speak good French after a year spent in school. France will be missed, for sure.”

Rapira wants to help Toulouse gain promotion to Super League before he retires though.

He added: “Now that I’m back from injury, I want to help the team up to finish as high as possible.

“This club has the capacity to go to the Super League. All the players in this team are talented, and the staff are extremely competent. Sylvain [Houles] is one of the best coaches I’ve known, thanks to the relationship he establishes with his players.

“Continuing like this, the Toulouse Olympique will be in Super League in the very near future, I am sure.”

Rapira earned 13 caps for New Zealand and won the World Cup with the Kiwis in 2008.