Ash Taylor confirms retirement on medical grounds, aged 27

Ash Taylor has confirmed his medical retirement from the NRL effective immediately, aged 27.

The New Zealand Warriors half-back has confirmed his retirement due to a long-term hip injury. The former Titans $1million-man underwent surgery on both hips back in 2020.

Taylor became one of the NRL’s highest paid players when the Titans handed him a three-year million a season deal. He spent six seasons at the Titans, before being released to join the Warriors.

He left the Gold Coast at the end of the 2021 NRL campaign to join the New Zealand side, initially on a train-and-trial contract. That was upgraded to a full-time deal ahead of the new season. 

Taylor played 116 games, scoring 18 tries. He won the Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2016. He also represented Indigenous All Stars on 2017, scoring a try.

The Warriors called a press conference on Tuesday, where Taylor confirmed the news.

“I think you all have an understanding of why we are here today, to call a time on my NRL career through medical advice,” Taylor told the media.

“Three shoulder reconstructions, two compound fractured fingers, hand, arm, wrist, ankle, abductor and the more recent hip surgery I think my body has been through a bit.

“I knew my time in the game was coming to a standstill after playing my recent match. Going to the park the next day and I couldn’t stand up to play with my children, in pain and was gradually declining.

“It was coming to a stage where I could see opportunities in training and games but my body physically, especially my hips, couldn’t do what my mind was telling me to do.”

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