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Brent Tate's decorated and courageous rugby league career is over.
The 32-year-old Test and Queensland Origin back has announced his retirement, accepting medical advice that returning from the ruptured ACL sustained during this year's State of Origin series was one fight too many.
Tate, who played the last decade of his career with a neck brace, had already returned to play after three previous knee reconstructions.
Tate will be farewelled with a lap of honour at his club North Queensland's NRL final round home match against Manly in Townsville on Saturday night.
"On the advice from the specialist, I've had to decide to stop playing rugby league which is unfortunate but necessary if I want to enjoy my post-football life," he said.
"When you have young kids, there's more to think about than just playing footy and I want to have the best chance of enjoying my life with them.
"I'm really grateful to have had the career I've had and will always cherish the experiences and opportunities that rugby league, and playing for three great clubs, as well as my state and country, has given me."
Tate begun his career at Brisbane in 2001 and went on to play a total of 229 first grade matches at the Broncos, Warriors and Cowboys.
A premiership winner with the Broncos in 2006, Tate played 26 Tests for Australia and 23 State of Origin matches for Queensland - three times fighting his way back into representative squads following serious injury.
He suffered a neck injury in 2003 which resulted in him playing with the brace for the remainder of his football career.
"There's part of me that's sad I won't be playing anymore, but there's a part of me that's excited to experience something else."
Tate will remain at the Cowboys in an off-field role.
BRENT TATE'S NEVER-SAY-DIE RUGBY LEAGUE CAREER
NRL appearances: 229 (81 tries)
Clubs: Brisbane (2001-07), Warriors (2008-10), North Queensland (2011-14)
Tests: 26 (2002-08, 2010, 2013)
State of Origin matches: 23 (2002-04, 2006-08, 2012-14)
* Premiership winner 2006
* Tri-Nations winner 2006
Brent Tate's decorated and courageous rugby league career is over.
The 32-year-old Test and Queensland Origin back has announced his retirement, accepting medical advice that returning from the ruptured ACL sustained during this year's State of Origin series was one fight too many.
Tate, who played the last decade of his career with a neck brace, had already returned to play after three previous knee reconstructions.
Tate will be farewelled with a lap of honour at his club North Queensland's NRL final round home match against Manly in Townsville on Saturday night.
"On the advice from the specialist, I've had to decide to stop playing rugby league which is unfortunate but necessary if I want to enjoy my post-football life," he said.
"When you have young kids, there's more to think about than just playing footy and I want to have the best chance of enjoying my life with them.
"I'm really grateful to have had the career I've had and will always cherish the experiences and opportunities that rugby league, and playing for three great clubs, as well as my state and country, has given me."
Tate begun his career at Brisbane in 2001 and went on to play a total of 229 first grade matches at the Broncos, Warriors and Cowboys.
A premiership winner with the Broncos in 2006, Tate played 26 Tests for Australia and 23 State of Origin matches for Queensland - three times fighting his way back into representative squads following serious injury.
He suffered a neck injury in 2003 which resulted in him playing with the brace for the remainder of his football career.
"There's part of me that's sad I won't be playing anymore, but there's a part of me that's excited to experience something else."
Tate will remain at the Cowboys in an off-field role.
BRENT TATE'S NEVER-SAY-DIE RUGBY LEAGUE CAREER
NRL appearances: 229 (81 tries)
Clubs: Brisbane (2001-07), Warriors (2008-10), North Queensland (2011-14)
Tests: 26 (2002-08, 2010, 2013)
State of Origin matches: 23 (2002-04, 2006-08, 2012-14)
* Premiership winner 2006
* Tri-Nations winner 2006
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