An “emotional” Lachlan Coote has retired with immediate effect after the decorated Hull KR full-back admitted he needed to put his health first.
Australian ace Coote, 33, was due to call it a day at the end of the season but has brought that forward following consultations with a concussion specialist.
The ex-St Helens star, who won Grand Finals in Super League and the NRL, suffered another head knock in Rovers’ Magic Weekend game last month.
He has not played since and said: “After suffering another concussion at Magic Round, my fifth concussion in less than two years, I knew I was going to be faced with some tough conversations.
“Over the past three weeks I have focused on gathering as much information as I can from the concussion specialist to help me make a decision on my time left here at KR.
“With all the support from my coach, Willie Peters, Paul Lakin, Neil Hudgell and the medical team at Hull KR, I have made a very difficult decision to retire immediately.
“Rugby league has always come first before anything, now I think it’s time to put my health, my future, my family first, and hopefully, have a long and healthy life with the ones that have supported me my whole career and will continue to support me for the rest of my life, my two beautiful kids and my beautiful wife, Laura.
“I’m still finding it hard to come to terms with this decision and it has been a very emotional few days, knowing that I will not get to play alongside my team-mates again and finish off what we started.
“I know this club and this team will be just fine without me. There are exciting times ahead for Hull KR. Sewell Group Craven Park is a very special place to me and I have loved every moment playing in front of the heart and soul of this club, the Hull KR fans.
“I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown me and my family; it’s been a pleasure to have been a small part of this great club’s history.”
The news is a big blow for Rovers who hope to mount a title assault after an impressive first half of the Super League season.
But they have now lost Coote as well as seeing England stand-off Jordan Abdull and in-form second-row James Batchelor succumb to long-term injuries.
However, coach Willie Peters said: “On behalf of everyone at Hull KR, we’d like to congratulate Lachlan on a wonderful 15-year career. Lachlan is a proven winner and will no doubt continue that into his retirement.
“His leadership qualities are right up there with the best and he’s achieved everything in the game. It’s a sad situation for Lachlan having to retire halfway through the season. However, his health and family come first and the decision is the right one for him and his family.”
Coote joined Rovers ahead of last season having won three Grand Finals in a row with Saints.
He played for Scotland and represented Great Britain on their 2019 tour of the southern hemisphere having initially won the NRL with North Queensland in 2015 and also represented Penrith.
KR chief executive Paul Lakin added: “Nothing is more important than health and family and we’ve no doubt Lachlan has made the right decision, whilst fully understanding how difficult that decision has been.
“It’s evident to see within the club the overwhelmingly positive impact Lachlan has made at Hull KR as a player, leader and person. We wish Lachlan and his family all the best for the future as they start their new, exciting chapter back home in Australia.”
