NZ Warriors half Ash Taylor has confirmed he's retiring from rugby league with a hip injury, after receiving medical advice.
Taylor, 27, knew his career was ending when he "couldn't stand up to play with my children", after his one and only Warriors appearance.
He informed his teammates of the decision, before fronting media with an emotional announcement that he’d played his last game of footy.
The former Gold Coast wiz kid thanked his parents, family, three clubs and huge support group for their support during the highs and lows of his career.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank my parents for everything they’ve given to each and every one of us kids growing up, and sacrificing their lives to give us a better upbringing and opportunities to be successful,” Taylor said.
“Next, my partner for riding the NRL rollercoaster, and supporting my every game and every decision I’ve made."
The decision comes six weeks after playing his only NRL game in 2022 against his former club.
"I knew my time in the game was coming to a standstill, after playing my recent match and going to the park the next day, and I couldn't stand up to play with my children," he said.
"This all happened so quickly, but I can't thank the Warriors enough, as a club, for the way they have handled my situation."
Three medical specialists told him there was no way to return to the field, even if he had another operation, so he made the decision to medically retire.
“It was extremely difficult, not being able to do something I love, that I’ve been a part of since I was five years old," he said.
“It’s something that hits home a fair bit, but more recently, I’ve been trying to prepare speeches and speak to my teammates here.
“I got a bit emotional this morning, trying to say a speech. It hit home more last night and this morning, when this stuff had to be done.”
Taylor started his NRL career at Brisbane Broncos, where he made a sole first=grade appearance in 2015, after coming through the youth ranks.
He shifted south to Gold Coast Titans in 2016 and stayed six years, scoring 18 tries and 327 points. He signed a three-year, A$3 million deal in 2017, making him one of the highest-paid players in the competition.
Taylor's hip woes started at the end of the 2020 season, when he went under the knife for surgery.
The Titans didn't renew his contract last season, but the Warriors threw him a lifeline, after a successful train-and-trial stint, and he eventually signed a one-year deal.
But even before his season kicked off, he had to take pain medication just to take the field.
"I was on a modified programme over the pre-season, but then, once I started getting closer towards the season, it started affecting me more," he said.
"I was taking more anti-inflammatories to keep up with the elite level training and playing."
What the future holds for Taylor is unclear, but he is putting his family first.
"It's time for me and my family to get settled back home in Toowoomba, and me and my partner will both get prepared to be back in the workforce," he said.
"But any [Indigenous] programmes they have coming up, I want to be a part of. I want to be a part of the community and I want to be a trusted source for the community to come to, if they need to seek help with anything."
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