Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Broncos' PNG international calls time on NRL career

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

David Mead has called time on his brilliant NRL career, the veteran outside back retiring after 171 games and 75 tries.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 33-year-old Bronco has announced his retirement with immediate effect, having wrapped up his international career with Papua New Guinea just last month in the Pacific Test.

He’s been back with the Broncos since last year, but hasn’t made any appearances this season.

Mead debuted with the Titans in 2009 and scored 67 tries in 147 outings before moving to Brisbane for the 2017 campaign.

He also spent three years in the Super League at Catalans Dragons, scoring 29 tries in 58 games.

The lethal finisher will also be remembered for his passionate service to PNG as captain, scoring 10 tries in 15 games for the Kumuls and leading them at the 2017 World Cup.

Mead thanked all those involved in making his “dream” of playing elite rugby league come true.

“This game has given and taught me a lot … I will always be grateful for my time playing footy,” he said.

“Thank you to all my teammates, the coaching staff and the many people who have been involved with the game over the last 14 years – you have all played an important and valuable part in my development as a player and as a person.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Thank you to my family who have been with me since day one … I look forward to experiencing the next chapter of our life together.”

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said the club had been lucky to have him.

“His longevity in the game is testament to his professionalism and his attention to detail in his training and preparation for games, plus he is one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 27 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING ‘It’s about his career’: Why NRL star Payne Haas could jump codes ‘It’s about his career’: Why NRL star Payne Haas could jump codes
Search