End of the road: Craig Newby
Leicester Tigers loose forward Craig Newby has announced his retirement from professional rugby due to injury.
Newby, who has three caps for New Zealand, played 84 games for the Tigers since his arrival at Welford Road in 2008.
The 33-year-old ended last season with a stand-out performance in the Aviva Premiership semi-final win over Saracens, but has now been advised to retire due to an injury to his knee.
"Coming to Leicester Tigers has been a great experience and I have a lot of good memories from playing for the club," said Newby.
"We've been involved in a lot of big games, the semi-finals and finals in the Premiership and in the cup competitions. There have been a lot of highlights.
"Outside the rugby, the thing that stands out for me is that, although the club is a big business, it is also like a big family and everyone is very welcoming."
Newby marked his Leicester debut against Sale Sharks in October 2008 by drop-kicking a conversion of a last-minute try by back-row colleague Brett Deacon, and was also successful in the historic shoot-out in the 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final against Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium.
He also scored three tries for the club.
The New Zealander was part of Leicester's Premiership-winning squads of 2009 and 2010, started the Heineken Cup Final against Leinster in 2009 and collected an LV= Cup winner's medal in 2012. He also captained the team at the 2011 Aviva Premiership Final at Twickenham.
"I've made some good mates in England. I love living here and that is something I want to continue to do," he said.
"I would like to stay in rugby in some capacity, and coaching does appeal to me.
"I've worked with a lot of good coaches and top-class players in my rugby career, and I would like to think I've picked up a knowledge of the game that I would like to pass on in a coaching capacity somewhere."
Comments
Frooschman says...
I await the news that Bath have signed him with bated breath.
Posted 08:42 12th September 2012
swiwi says...
Didn't get as many games for the ABs as he merited IMHO. Definitely a more than handy player in his prime.
Posted 07:02 12th September 2012
BMakka8 says...
And I meant to say - Thank you Craig, as lawynd said, you've been magnificent and led the side well.
Posted 13:00 11th September 2012
BMakka8 says...
I said that the Richard Thorpe signing was a good one. With two back-rowers retiring, it was very necessary, as was Brett Deacon's.
Posted 12:59 11th September 2012
passtheball says...
Whole hearted player who was a credit to all the teams he represented.
Posted 12:20 11th September 2012
lawynd says...
Crikey, they're still dropping like flies at Welford Road! All the best Craig, you've been magnificent for us over the years.
Posted 10:18 11th September 2012
physiodan says...
True legend at WR. Good luck with the future!
Posted 08:47 11th September 2012