After being acknowledged as a departing NRL player on grand final day, vastly-experienced Vodafone Warriors prop Leeson Ah Mau has confirmed his playing days are completely over.
The off-contract 31-year-old, who has made a total of 223 first-grade appearances since his debut in 2009, was granted permission to return to Auckland before the end of the club’s 2021 campaign to be reunited with his family.
“That’s it for me. I’m finished with footy and now I’m putting my family first,” he said after playing his 13th and last NRL season.
“I really enjoyed my time in the game with the Warriors, Cowboys and Dragons as well as the Kiwis and Samoa.
“I want to thank all the teams, the teammates I’ve had and also the coaches and staff. Now I’m looking forward to spending time with my family.”
I’m looking forward to spending time with my family
Leeson Ah Mau Retired Vodafone Warriors prop
In his final season Ah Mau played 18 consecutive matches for the Vodafone Warriors before returning home.
“Leeson’s greatest quality was his consistency in his performance and effort,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.
“He never played a bad game and could always be relied on. As a club we wish him all the best in his retirement and whatever the future holds for him.”
A foundation member of the Vodafone Warriors’ NYC side in 2008, the Mangere East Hawks junior made his first-grade debut with the Vodafone Warriors in 2009.
He linked up with North Queensland in 2010 and 2011 before beginning a seven-season stay with the Dragons, making 144 games for the club.
He returned home in 2019 playing 44 games for the Vodafone Warriors but missing all but two matches in 2020 after suffering a pectoral injury.
After playing 16 Tests for Toa Samoa, Ah Mau represented the Kiwis in nine Tests in 2018 and 2019.
