Veteran Keary Backtrack on Retirement Decision: Roosters Half-Back to Play On or Call It Quits?
Sydney Roosters veteran Luke Keary has reportedly backtracked on his earlier decision to retire at the end of the current NRL season, opting instead to make a move to the Super League. According to Rugby League Live and Fox Sports, the 32-year-old half-back was poised to join the Catalans Dragons next year.
However, The Daily Telegraph has since dismissed those claims, stating that Keary is unlikely to change his mind on retirement and will indeed hang up his boots at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, dealing a blow to the Super League’s recruitment plans.
Keary’s Illustrious NRL Career
Keary, one of the NRL’s premier playmakers over the past decade, had announced his shock retirement earlier this year, despite signing a one-year contract extension with the Roosters. The Australian and Irish international, who has also represented New South Wales, has made 218 NRL appearances, winning three premierships, including the 2018 title where he was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal.
Potential Super League Move
His potential move to the Super League and the Catalans Dragons would have been a major coup for the European competition, as they look to fill the void left by the retirements of Mitchell Pearce and Sam Tomkins. However, it now appears that Steve McNamara‘s side will need to explore alternative options to bolster their halves for the 2024 season.
Excitement and Uncertainty
The reversal of Keary’s retirement decision had initially sparked excitement among rugby league enthusiasts, as the prospect of another high-profile NRL star plying his trade in the Super League would have further enhanced the competition’s profile. Nonetheless, the latest reports suggest that the curtain is set to fall on Keary’s illustrious NRL career at the end of the current season.
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