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Carney to leave Hull KR, return to Aust

Former Canberra and Sydney Roosters NRL star Justin Carney is retiring from playing rugby league after six years in England's Super League.

Australian rugby league star Justin Carney
Australian Justin Carney will finish his rugby league career at his club Hull Kingston Rovers. (AAP)

Hull KR winger Justin Carney will return home to Australia at the end of the English Super League season.

The 30-year-old former Canberra and Sydney Roosters star, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign, is understood to have rejected a new deal at his club to return to his homeland to move closer to his family after six years in England.

Carney, who spent three years at Castleford before joining Salford for the 2016 season, plans to retire from professional rugby league, but could remain involved in the sport in some capacity.

The winger announced his decision during Thursday's press conference, with the Robins writing on their official Twitter account: "Justin will return home and give back to the NSW country communities that gave him so much at the start of his career.

"(He) admits he's had a lot of offers of various employment and could stay in the sport at some level, but his priority is to be closer to his kids.

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"He's planning to retire from pro rugby league and return home to be closer to family. (He) says he's enjoyed most of his career, but the time is right to step down and leave it to young, hungry guys like Will Oakes and Elliot Wallis with international potential.

"We'll be sad to see him go but understand his reasons for departing the club. He's determined to end on a high over these next four weeks."

Carney joined the Robins halfway through the 2017 season to be reunited with former Salford director of rugby Tim Sheens at KCOM Craven Park, and has scored six tries in 21 appearances.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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