Luck to retire

New Zealand Warriors veteran Michael Luck will retire at the end of the season, the club has announced.

The former North Queensland second-rower turned down a deal to remain with the Auckland-based club for another year.

Instead the 30-year-old, who played in last year’s NRL Grand Final with a fractured wrist, will return to his native Australia.

“This was not a rushed decision, and an extremely difficult one for me to make,” said Luck

“After carefully weighing up all options with the people closest to me, I have decided that for the good of my family and me, it is the right time to make this decision.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Vodafone Warriors, in particular Wayne Scurrah and Brian McClennan, for their support at this time. I cannot overstate what I owe the Vodafone Warriors.”

Luck joined the Warriors in 2005 and has gone on to play 144 games for the club.

Despite an offer of a further year’s contract, Luck’s mind would not be changed.

“We made Micheal an offer for another year and would have loved to keep him here,” said Warriors chief Wayne Scurrah.

“With the skills and reputation he has around the club and in the community, we also wanted to lookat a career here for him post-football.” 

“While it’s disappointing for us that he will be retiring and returning home we respect his wishes. He’s a wonderful person to have at the club and we owe him so much for his contribution in all areas both on the field and off it. It’s impossible to say enough about what he has done for us.”