Tonga's Sika Manu celebrates
Tonga's Sika Manu celebrates

Sika Manu: Hull FC ace to retire at the end of current Betfred Super League season


Hull FC second-rower Sika Manu has announced he will retire from rugby league at the end of the current Super League season.

The 32-year-old has had a decorated career, winning the World Cup, World Club Challenge, NRL Premiership and two Challenge Cups, the latter while at the Black and Whites.

Manu made his debut for Melbourne Storm in 2007 and signed off with a NRL Grand Final victory five years later - after missing the 2008 and 2009 triumphs - before moving to Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2013 season.

He was part of New Zealand's 2008 World Cup-winning team in Australia before switching his allegiance to Tonga in 2013, playing at the last two World Cups and captaining them in the 2017 edition.

Manu arrived in Super League in 2016 and helped Hull to their maiden victory at Wembley in the Challenge Cup later that year against Warrington, before successfully defending the trophy in 2017 against Wigan.

He told the club's official website: "It was an extremely hard decision to make because I have had an enjoyable career, especially my time here at Hull, but I feel that the time is right to hang up the boots.

"It's been an amazing journey with plenty of highs and lows along the way. I feel very lucky that I am able to finish up here at Hull FC."

Head coach Lee Radford added: "I think he is one of the best signings the club has made in the modern era and it will be sad to see him leave.

"What I like so much about Sika is how he goes about his business. He's one of those sort of players who plays the game on the edge and that's another thing I really admire."

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