Inglis reveals retirement date from NRL and representative football

Greg Inglis’ retirement came as a shock to those at South Sydney who only weeks ago had spoken with the 32-year-old about the prospect of extending his career until at least 2021.

Greg Inglis has announced his retirement plans.

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It was the Christmas gift which helped deliver South Sydney their 21st premiership. Greg Inglis’s illustrious career will end in 2020 after the South Sydney superstar announced his exit plan from the game on Friday.

Inglis strolled into the Redfern offices of South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett and head of football Shane Richardson to tell them of his intention to retire when his contract expires.

It came as a shock to those at South Sydney who only weeks ago had spoken with the 32-year-old about the prospect of extending his career until at least 2021.

Greg Inglis has announced his retirement plans. Picture: South Sydney Rabbitohs

But Inglis opted to finalise his retirement plans which include stepping away from representative football at the end of this year.

Richardson — who enticed Inglis to join the club when he was squeezed out of Melbourne — said Inglis was like “an adopted son” to him and his family.

“It was simple,” Richardson said of his conversation with Inglis on Friday.

“‘Richo’ I’m going to finish my contract. I’m going to step down from rep footy at the end of the year. I’m going to focus in on Souths and try and win another premiership’.

“I was a bit surprised. We hadn’t discussed it at all. But in the end it was a pleasant surprise. He feels really good that he has chosen his time.”

Greg Inglis will play his last games for the Maroons and Kangaroos this year before hanging his boots up for good at the end of the 2020 season.

Inglis had all but decided to join the Broncos after the Storm were caught salary cap cheating in 2010. It wasn’t until Richardson intervened which helped sway Inglis into joining the Rabbitohs.

“It was a bit of a stuff up from Brisbane,” Richardson said. “Greg is the sort of guy that needs to feel wanted. Melbourne was his family and he was shattered to leave. He felt he was pushed into looking at Brisbane. I got a lead that he might be unhappy. I contacted him through his manager.

“ I spoke to Greg direction especially about our indigenous work … then we had to workout how to fit him in. I did the deal on Christmas Eve and I turned around and said to our accountant at the time — ‘we just bought our 21st premiership’.”

Despite his intention to wind down his career, Inglis has shown no signs of wanting to give up the captaincy.

Inglis helped lead South Sydney to the 2014 premiership. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“I know Wayne (Bennett) said Greg will certainly be a captain,” Richardson said. “It’s up to him. He has put his hand up and says he wants it.

“Greg has been working really hard in the past 12-18 months to decomplicate his life and try and make sure he isn’t overloading himself. This is a step towards that. He can remain focused.

“His mates all around him and he knows when the finish will be.”

Inglis is 39 games short of playing 300 games and will again skipper the Maroons this year. A drink driving charge robbed Inglis of captaining Australia last year just hours after being announced as skipper.

Inglis began his career as a teen star at Melbourne.

Inglis described rugby league as “his life”.

“It’s what I’ve known. I feel like I have given everything I have to the game, and it’s given me everything that I have in my life,” Inglis said. “I’ve been fortunate to play with two fantastic clubs in the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Melbourne Storm.

“If it wasn’t for the Storm I would not have had the chance to fulfil my life’s dream.

“At the Rabbitohs, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve become a leader, a captain and a mentor to the current and next generation of young Rabbitohs to wear this proud red and green jersey.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to represent my country, my state, and my people and those are memories that I will cherish forever.”
The Rabbitohs hope Inglis will stay in either a coaching and/or community role.

Originally published as Inglis reveals retirement date from NRL and representative football