Cowboy Brent Tate retires from the NRL
North Queensland centre Brent Tate has announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on a decorated NRL and representative career.
Tate was contracted to the Cowboys for the 2015 season but was forced into retirement because of the latest knee injury he sustained during this year’s State of Origin series.
The 32-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Origin II, the fourth occasion in which he had torn his ACL.
Tate posted 229 NRL matches for the Cowboys, Brisbane and the Warriors, in addition to making 23 Origin appearances for Queensland and playing 26 Tests for Australia.
“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, has given me,” Tate said in a statement.
“There’s part of me that’s sad I won’t be playing anyone, but there’s a part of me that’s excited to experience something else.”
Tate, who won a premiership with the Broncos in 2006, will be honoured at the Cowboys’ match against Manly in Townsville on Saturday night.