Shame to see this announcement from Saints today. A class player in his day, seems a very nice guy and a World Cup winner. He was a hugely popular figure at NZ Warriors and was instrumental in their NRL rise. His utility value was of great benefit to New Zealand as well and he was superb in historic the World Cup run. He never quite settled down at Saints, being brought in to play in the halves where he'd longed to play, but ending up being shunted around several positions much like his NRL career. His involvement in the 2014 Grand Final will be forever remembered, as will the class he showed in responding to the controversy.

so which NRL club is he signing for?

I genuinely can't see an NRL club wanting him now? I'd be surprised if they did, but good luck to him. I hope he does continue playing if that is what he wishes to do.

i know i was kidding really - but its happened with players in the past

Turn out for Salford on Friday??

Retired with immediate effect or end of season?

Immediate effect.

All a tad bizarre, especially the statement from Saints (although tbf not surprising, given Saints' propensity towards being hopeless in the area of communication).

Agree it all seems a bit abrupt. I'm not saying it's the case but it makes it look as though there's been a big falling out.

I could understand if he'd suffered a serious injury and so retired now. But to retire now rather than see the season out seems like he's not at all happy with Saints. Whether that's justified or not is another matter.

Quote: Him "Agree it all seems a bit abrupt. I'm not saying it's the case but it makes it look as though there's been a big falling out. I could understand if he'd suffered a serious injury and so retired now. But to retire now rather than see the season out seems like he's not at all happy with Saints. Whether that's justified or not is another matter.'" www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/32525472

Quote: Him "Agree it all seems a bit abrupt. I'm not saying it's the case but it makes it look as though there's been a big falling out. I could understand if he'd suffered a serious injury and so retired now. But to retire now rather than see the season out seems like he's not at all happy with Saints. Whether that's justified or not is another matter.'" www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/32525472

Looks like saints trying to say as little as possible to avoid stoking fires. Hope he's ok.

I'm not a doctor, but I'm going to take a punt here and suggest that 'recurrent concussion symptoms' are fairly consistent with a heavy blow to the head. Something like, say, being punched in the head whilst out cold on the floor by a rugby league player.

I'm guessing a certain Wigan player might not be sleeping well tonight.

Not the last we hear of this then....

Opens the door for him to make a legal case against whoever caused the condition.

Top guy, met him at the roses 20/20 match last year. A real shame his grand final ended like it did and a bigger shame his career has too. Good player, never seemed to quite settle at Saints but he was always capable of quality.

This could get ugly.