Rugby league cult hero Sia Soliola calls it quits after 17-year career

One of rugby league’s fan favourites has decided to hang up the boots for good as he embraces a new role with the Canberra Raiders.

After a glittering rugby league career spanning 17 years and 336 games, cult hero Sia Soliola has announced his retirement from the game.

The 35-year-old enjoyed two spells in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders, as well as a four-year stint in the Super League with St Helens.

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Despite making the call to hang up his boots for good, Soliola is eagerly anticipating what the future holds for him.

“I’m at ease with everything now,” Soliola told the Raiders website.

“There’s a few mixed emotions. I’m excited and a bit nervous, but relieved to make the decision to leave the game which has given me a lot and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Soliola made his NRL debut with the Roosters in 2005, before moving to England to play for St Helens in 2010.

Soliola joined the Raiders in 2015. Picture: Tracey Nearmy / Getty Images

The New Zealand international moved back to Australia to link up with the Raiders in 2015, and went on to make 137 appearances for the Green Machine.

It was a chat with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart that got him excited about the prospect of returning to the NRL, as Soliola went on to play a pivotal role in Stuart’s rebuilding of the club.

“When I first came here to this club and Ricky spoke about the vision and what he had regarding the playing group and the club as a whole, that’s what really excited me,” Soliola said.

“Especially being over at St Helens where I really enjoyed my time over there and everyone notices how the English Super League operates and how the crowds and communities come together and he wanted me to bring that energy and experience that I had over there and bring it to Canberra.

“Because I went so young when I went to Super League, I felt like I still had a fair bit of time to come back to the NRL.

“There was always that feeling in the back of your mind whether you could still do it or not, but I was excited with the challenge that was in front of me and I really wanted to do what I could to help influence the team when I came back to Australia.”

Soliola was a big hit with rugby league fans. Picture: Tracey Nearmy / Getty Images

In Soliola’s time at the Raiders, the club qualified for the top eight on three occasions, including a second-place finish in 2016 as well as a grand final appearance in 2019.

As Soliola provided plenty of effort and bruising tackles on the field, his off-field achievements and willingness to get involved with the Canberra community saw him awarded the Ken Stephen Medal in 2019.

Soliola will remain connected with the Raiders in his next role, as he takes up a position within the club’s welfare and education team to help educate and inspire the next generation of Raiders players.

It’s an opportunity the veteran lock is relishing.

“I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life and working in this space,” Soliola said.

“I’ve had the chance to do a little bit, but obviously Covid and the team relocating to Queensland prevented me doing too much, but now I get the opportunity to really harness it, and focus on it, and I’m excited to work with Andrew Bishop and David Thom in that space, and with guys like Dean Souter, who have been in this area as well.

“I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by all of that experience.”