Mannering calls time on stellar Warriors career
WELLINGTON: Warriors stalwart Simon Mannering will end his 14year career with the NRL club at the end of this season.
The 31yearold’s decision yesterday follows his announcement five weeks ago that he had retired from international football after 45 tests for the Kiwis from 2006 to 2017.
Mannering said he had wrestled with his decision for several weeks.
‘‘It has taken a while to reach this point but I’m now comfortable with the decision I’ve finally made,’’ he said.
‘‘It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure. There has been a lot to think about. I’ve really enjoyed this season and that was one of the factors that was playing on my mind.
‘‘It’s not over yet, though. There are still a lot of games to be played and I want to do all I can to help the team and the coaching staff in our bid to finish this season as well as we possibly can.’’
Mannering was 18 when he made his Warriors debut off the bench in the 3018 clash against Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium on June 26, 2005.
On Sunday he will make his 294th appearance when the club plays Melbourne at the same venue.
It leaves him on track to become the first player to make 300 appearances for the club and only the second New Zealander to reach that milestone after Canberra and Warriors great Ruben Wiki.
Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney said Mannering’s decision marked a sad day for the club.
‘‘I’d love Simon to play on forever but sadly the time comes when players have to make the call to finish,’’ he said. ‘‘I know how difficult this would have been for him. He loves playing footy and he loves this club so it’s a really significant day for him and for all of us.’’
Warriors chief executive Cameron George also paid tribute to Mannering.
‘‘It’s difficult to put into words just how much Simon has done for the Warriors on and off the field and what he means to us and to members and fans alike,’’ George said.
In his time at the club, Mannering has been on the field for close to 370 hours, carrying the ball more than 27,000m (an average of 95m a game) and making more than 9300 tackles, at an average of about 32 tackles a game.
❛ It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure. There has been a lot to think about
WELLINGTON: Former Kiwis captain Mark Graham has been named as one of six inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame, the first New Zealander to be included.
Graham, a North Sydney stalwart and New Zealand test captain in the 1980s, played 105 games for Norths from 1981 to 1988. He was named New Zealand’s player of the century in 2007.
Graham joins Petero Civoniceva, Cliff Lyons, Steve Menzies, Ricky Stuart and Gorden Tallis in being recognised for their playing achievements and will join the 100 inaugural members from 2008.
Front rower Civoniceva was known for his uncompromising approach on the field but for being a gentleman off it and logged 309 NRL games between Brisbane and Penrith as well as 33 Origins for Queensland.
Former Manly teammates Lyons (332) and Menzies (349) were at the core of a strong Sea Eagles team in the 1990s.
Stuart was a scheming halfback who spent much of his career with Canberra and played 14 State of Origins for New South Wales and nine tests for Australia before embarking on a coaching career.
Tallis was perhaps the most dominant forward in the competition during the mid to late1990s with the Brisbane Broncos and went on to shine for both the Maroons and Australia.