Talau to retire at season’s end

Veteran centre Willie Talau is to leave Salford at the end of the season and hang up his boots.

The Samoan-born centre, 34, is returning Down Under to start a new life outside of rugby league after two seasons at Salford.

He said: “I’ve thought about it a lot and this is going to be my last season.

“It’s another chapter in my life and a chapter I’m pretty much looking forward to.

“The only association I think I’ll have with rugby league when I go back is that I’ve got three young boys that play and I’ll be a dad on the sidelines watching.”

Talau moved to England in 2003, leaving Canterbury Bulldogs to sign for St Helens, where he won the Challenge Cup four times, Super League and the World Club Challenge.

“It’s my last season you set yourself a reputation, not only among the fans, but most importantly the players.

“I would like to go out on a high and on a personal level still playing good rugby.

“The play-offs are a goal of ours and a goal of everyone associated with the club and that would be something special to achieve.”