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Rugby League

Withers announces shock retirement

27/06/2007

Wigan Warriors' Australian full-back Michael Withers has shocked the rugby league world by announcing his retirement from the sport with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old suffered a knee injury during his side's 20-18 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Carnegie on April 10th and underwent keyhole surgery to correct the problem.

But despite intensive physiotherapy over the past ten weeks, and even an interview earlier this week when he suggested he could start for Warriors against Wakefield Wildcats this weekend, he has been forced to retire on medical grounds.

"It's heart breaking to have to end in this way," Withers said.

"I now need another operation which is similar to the one that Andy Farrell had some years ago and it involves fracturing the knee to overcome the problem.

"It would be a year before I would be right again and even then it would involve great care. I will be visiting the same surgeon and hope to have the operation this week.

"I would like to thank the Wigan club and especially the medical team who have worked so hard to help me. I am just so sorry that their efforts have been unrewarded.

"Wigan is a great club and I'm sure they have a bright future. I'm so sorry not to be part of it."

Withers will be sorely missed by Wigan, who have had a mixed bag of results this season.

The JJB Stadium outfit have lost four of their eight games since the Australian's injury, including key defeats to possible play-off opponents Harlequins and Huddersfield and table-topping rivals St Helens.

Head coach Brian Noble, who is hoping to guide the team to the play-offs in his first season in charge, described Withers' retirement as "a crushing blow".

"In attempting a training session yesterday he broke down and our medical team advised him that he would now need major surgery which effectively means he cannot play again," he said.

"Michael is devastated and so am I. I worked with him for a long time at Bradford and he has been a credit to rugby league. Sadly we cannot argue with surgeons and it is the end of the road for Michael."

Withers joined Wigan from Bradford Bulls at the end of last season after eight years at Odsal. He scored 444 points in his 183 Super League appearances.

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