‘I’ve got no desire to play in the NRL anymore’: The phone calls behind Luke Keary’s decision to head to Super League

He was supposed to retire at the end of the season, but Luke Keary will finish his decorated career in France.

Luke Keary is excited by the challenge of heading to Catalans where he’ll become the latest Roosters player to join the French club. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Roosters veteran Luke Keary has confirmed he has no desire to ever return to the NRL after the three-time premiership winner backflipped on his plans to retire to extend his career by another two seasons with the Catalans Dragons.

Keary, 32, signed an extension while in America but then changed his mind and announced his retirement in April following 12 seasons in the NRL.

However, there’s been one more major change of plans, with the five-eighth off to the Dragons on a two-year deal. He will head to the south of France with his young family who are all looking forward to the journey.

The move wasn’t Keary’s idea, with Roosters coach Trent Robinson discussing it with Catalans coach Steve McNamara, who has been at the helm for the past seven seasons and used to work with the Tricolours.

Steve McNamara and Trent Robinson were behind Luke Keary’s move to the Super League. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

“Robbo came to me a few months ago out of the blue and asked (if I’d be keen to go) but I didn’t give it too much thought at the start,” Keary said.

“He encouraged me to have a chat with Steve who’s over there at the Dragons, and once I had the chat, one thing led to another and it kind of just happened pretty quickly.

“I feel good about the decision, but I also haven’t put too much energy into it. It’s something my family is really excited about, and I’m excited to go on a journey with them.

“I haven’t put too much thought into it. Once we finish here, I’ll probably have the chance to sit back and reflect a bit and think about what’s in front of me.”

Mitchell Pearce finished his career with Catalans.

While the move may be daunting for the family, Keary has the luxury of leaning on Robinson who coached two seasons at Catalans, while there are plenty of Roosters players who have made the trip to extend their careers.

Halves James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce have done it in recent years, with Keary excited about the role he can now play in growing the game in the region.

“I had that chat with Robbo about how there are a few Roosters boys who have paved the way for myself to go over, so there are a couple of boys I can lean on, plus there’s Robbo who has a really good relationship with everyone over there,” he said.

While he’s excited about what the future holds, the 2018 Clive Churchill Medal winner has categorically denied any potential return to the NRL once his deal expires.

“There’s a big difference playing here and going over there,” he said.

“The NRL is probably a different beast and I’ve got no desire to play in the NRL anymore. “That wasn’t too much of a thought for me.”