Hull KR prop Weyman retires

The former Australia front-row, 30, has missed the Rovers’ last five matches and, after undergoing surgery a fortnight ago, has now decided to hang up his boots.

Weyman, who won an NRL Grand Final and World Club Challenge with St George Illawarra, will head home to Sydney imminently.

Having joined at the start of 2014, his contract was due to finish at the end of this season but his early departure will be a big loss for Chris Chester’s side who currently sit bottom of Super League with just one win.

They have the likes of props Adam Walker, Mitch Allgood and James Green all in good form and Ryan Bailey hoping to soon be back from his own injury problems.

However, understandably, Rovers are already looking for a replacement both here and overseas.

“It’s a sad way to end my career but unfortunately these things happen and I’ve been lucky enough to achieve what I have in the game,” said Weyman, who also represented New South Wales in State of Origin as well as playing with the Kangaroos.

“It’s now time to look at the bigger picture and think about my family.

“My knee isn’t responding to treatment and I wanted to do the right thing by the club as well.

“I don’t want to be sitting in the stands for most of the year.

“It has meant a lot to me to play for Rovers and I would like to thank the supporters and everybody at the club for making my family and I feel so welcome over the last 18 months.

“We’ve really enjoyed our time here and we’ve met some great friends who we’ll continue to stay in touch with after we move back to Australia.”

Weyman scored seven tries in 24 first-team games for Rovers, his final career appearance coming in the 28-22 pre-season derby victory over Hull FC in January.

Chester added: “We are disappointed to lose a player of Mick’s calibre but he has been a great servant to the club during his time here and he leaves with our best wishes for the future.

“He’s been a great leader for this club and this is not the way he would have wanted to end his career, but he’s played at the highest level and can be rightly proud of what he’s achieved in the game.

“The time has come for him to put his family and life after rugby first and he’s made the right decision. He’s a true professional and he wouldn’t have been happy being on the sidelines and not being able to make a contribution on the field. That’s the sort of bloke he is and it’s been a pleasure working with him.

“We’ve already begun the search for a replacement for Mick and we’re looking both in this country and overseas. We now have a full quota spot to play with but we won’t be rushing into any decisions. We have a really close-knit squad this year and whoever we bring in will have to fit in both on and off the field.”