Leeds Rhinos Announce Retirement Of Matt Prior

Leeds Rhinos have announced that prop Matt Prior has retired at the age of 35.

Prior spent the last three seasons with the Betfred Super League club, winning their Player of the Year award in 2020 after helping them claim the Betfred Challenge Cup in the same season.

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The two-time NRL Grand Final winner has retired with immediate effect having played his last competitive match for the Rhinos in the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford in September.

Prior signed a two-year extension with the Rhinos in 2021 which would have seen his contract expire in 2023. However, he has decided to call time on his career midway through that contract and now a quota spot has opened up at Headingley.

The Australian made 63 appearances for the Rhinos over his three years at Headingley, scoring seven tries in that time.

The 35-year-old prop played over 250 games in the NRL and featured for New South Wales in 2018. He was an NRL Grand Final winner with the Cronulla Sharks in 2016.

Originating from Wollongong, Prior started his professional career with his hometown club, the St George Illawara Steelers, in 2006. He made his NRL debut in 2008, winning his first NRL Premiership with the Dragons in 2010 under the stewardship of Wayne Bennett - Prior came off the bench in the Grand Final triumph over Sydney Roosters.

Explaining his decision to retire, Prior said: “It’s a decision I haven’t taken lightly but to finish with the Rhinos in a Grand Final seems like a fitting way to bring my career to a close.

“I’ve been fortunate to play for so long in the NRL and Super League without too many injuries and I can look back with so many good memories.

“My last three years in Leeds with the Rhinos have been especially good for me and my family. I would like to thank all the players, staff and fans for their welcome and support.”

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington added, “Matt will retire with everyone’s best wishes having served the team and club so well over the past three seasons. His retirement will now provide an opportunity to recruit another senior player to the squad, if need be.”