Former Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos man announces retirement aged 30

Sheffield Eagles hooker Vila Halafihi has announced his decision to retire from rugby league following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Halafihi spent 12 seasons as a player, but the 30-year-old has decided to hang up his boots after last season having spent three years with the Eagles.

The son of former Hull KR and Eagles forward Nick Halafihi, he started his career with Leeds Rhinos and worked his way through the youth ranks at Headingley but left the club without making a first-team appearance. The playmaker also spent time with Penrith Panthers before joining Bradford Bulls in 2015.

In four seasons at Odsal he made 39 appearances for the first team and scored eight tries before eventually moving to Hunslet for the start of the 2019 campaign.

He bagged 13 tries in 43 outings for the West Yorkshire outfit in League One but his performances caught the eye of the Eagles, who brought him back to the Championship in 2022.

Halafihi spent three seasons as a regular in Eagles colours, making the hooker spot his own and playing a key role as the club reached the Championship play-offs in 2023. However, after 83 outings for the club, he has called time on his playing days, with the Eagles thanking him for his services in a message posted on their official channels.

The announcement comes just a day after Sheffield revealed the signing of Corey Johnson from Leeds Rhinos. The hooker has penned a two-year deal with the club and will have a point to prove following his Headingley exit at the end of the 2024 season.

Johnson spent the first few years of his career with Leeds, making 29 appearances for the club, while further outings have come with Featherstone Rovers, York Knights, Bradford Bulls and Halifax Panthers. However, he played just four times for the Rhinos last season and left the club without the offer of a new deal.