New Zealand Warriors: Ash Taylor set to announce retirement
New Zealand Warriors playmaker Ash Taylor is set to call time on his career after succumbing to a long-term hip injury, reports have claimed.
Taylor is just 27, but it would appear the injury has finally caught up with him. The former Titans $1million-man underwent surgery on both hips back in 2020. However sadly it looks as though Taylor is unable to carry on.
He left the Gold Coast at the end of the 2021 NRL campaign to join the Warriors, initially on a train-and-trial contract. That was upgraded to a full-time deal ahead of the new season. It was hoped he could get his career back on track but injury looks to have curtailed his career.
Ash Taylor injury issues
Taylor played in round two of this season’s comp but hasn’t been seen since. Coach Nathan Brown has revealed the player has been struggling with hip issues. Brown did not confirm the retirement but suggested as much after the news broke in the press.
“He’s definitely been struggling with his hips, he’s been through a number of meetings in the past few weeks,” Brown told Fox League before their game with the Raiders on Saturday afternoon.
“Mick’s (Daily Telegraph journalist Michael Carayannis) probably ahead of the game there. He’s probably found out a touch quicker than anyone would have expected but that’s what it looks like it’s going to be unfortunately.”
An announcement has yet to be formally made by Taylor. Even so the tributes to his career have started to flood in.
Taylor made a total of 116 NRL appearances. 114 of which came for the Titans. He scored 18 tries for them and a total of 327 points. He also made one appearance for the Broncos and one for the Warriors.
“Congratulations to Ash on his career,” former Melbourne Storm halfback turned Fox League analyst Cooper Cronk said of the news.
“He hit the NRL scene with a bang — 46 games, 45 try assists. He did the flashy things really well. It fell off the back at the end but congratulations to Ash Taylor.”
Marshall tribute
Retired Wests Tigers legend Benji Marshall also paid tribute to Taylor’s career.
“It’s a sad way to end, not on your terms,” Marshall added. “It’s tough to play one NRL game let alone 116 so congratulations to Ash. He represented himself well.”
Taylor was handed a bumper three-year deal worth $1million a season. It made him one of the richest NRL players at the time. However he failed to live up to it and was allowed to leave the Titans at the end of last season.