New Zealand Warriors skipper Tohu Harris has stunned the footy world by announcing his sudden retirement. The 33-year-old veteran of 234 NRL games was thought to be on track to retain the captaincy after missing a large chunk of last season due to a wrist injury, but he has told the club he cannot carry on after surgery on the joint was unsuccessful.
![[The 33-year-old has been forced to pull the pin on his career after a wrist complaint didn't respond to surgery]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/08/22/93889229-14264649-image-a-11_1736374684988.jpg)
His bombshell announcement comes after the club lost another long-time star, Shaun Johnson, to retirement in 2024. Harris could only manage 14 games last year due to the injury and said he was shattered that he cannot take to the field again. 'I had high hopes of returning from the injury this year but I'm devastated I won't get the chance to pull on the injury again,' he said in a statement released by the club on Thursday morning.
'I'm dealing with pain in everyday life as well as footy. Tohu Harris (pictured with wife Natalie at the 2023 Dally M awards) has made the heartbreaking decision to retire ahead of time due to a painful injury. The 33-year-old has been forced to pull the pin on his career after a wrist complaint didn't respond to surgery.
'My body has been feeling good in training but the reality is I can't perform as a player with this injury. 'While it's not easy finishing like this, I'm so grateful to the One New Zealand Warriors for the opportunities they’ve given me, for the chance to wear the jersey and to lead our great club, and also for the support we’ve had as a family.'.
