seasoned traveller Brayden Wiliame, a centre for the New Zealand Warriors, has retired from competitive play.
After an injury-plagued first season with the team, the 30-year-old former Fiji Bati international decided to retire with one more season remaining on his two-year contract.
Beginning the 2023 season as one of first-choice centres for new head coach Andrew Webster, he made his debut as One New Zealand Warrior #273 in the team’s first round 20–12 victory over the Newcastle Knights in Wellington.
The following week, he provided support in a close defeat to the Sydney Roosters; nevertheless, those two NRL games would be his last ones during a season marred by persistent Achilles tendon and calf problems.
“From a happy-go-lucky kid moving to Melbourne at 16 to now, a happy-go-lucky man, husband, and father calling time on my footy career 14 years later,” he wrote in an Instagram post. This has not been an easy path. However, I’m thankful for every second of it because it has brought me to my rightful place.
After making his first-grade debut with Parramatta in 2013, Wiliame concluded his playing career with 48 NRL appearances.
In the little time he has been with us, Brayden has contributed a great deal to the club, according to Webster.
“Despite being sidelined by injury, he was nevertheless a major contributor to our season off the pitch with his professionalism and mentoring abilities. We are all sorry that he made this choice, and I’m excited for his future.
“Thank you to all the great clubs I’ve had the pleasure of playing for (not enough room to write you all),” Wiliame continued in his message. I’m grateful for all of the amazing experiences, coaches, and friendships.
“The @nzwarriors deserve special recognition for their assistance since I arrived here, both on and off the pitch. Even if it was just temporary, I’m glad to have been Warrior #273. I arrived with every intention of playing in the NRL again.
“This sport has given my family and I stories to last a lifetime, and for that, we will always be grateful.
“As one door closes, another one opens. eager to see what comes next.
Wiliame also played for Manly Warringah and St George Illawarra in the NRL, and his three seasons in the Super League with Les Catalans were capped off by a 20-14 triumph over Warrington in the 2018 Challenge Cup final, in which he scored a try.
Following his participation in the first two games of the 2023 NRL season, Wiliame suffered a calf injury that required extensive recovery before he was able to return for the New South Wales Cup team. As the squad advanced to the preliminary final, he went on to make nine appearances.
Nevertheless, Wiliame was substituted from the game after just 27 minutes, and the Warriors ultimately suffered a 24-28 defeat to North Sydney.
Wiliame was a member of the Fiji Bati team that shocked the New Zealanders 4-2 in Wellington during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal.
Last year, he also spent time playing rugby union for Perpignan in France.
Leave a Reply