A former Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves fan favourite has made the decision to retire from rugby league following an excellent career over the past 15 years.
Ben Murdoch-Masila has hung the boots up aged 34 with the former Super League man calling time on his career after playing his final game this past weekend.
Unfortunately for the 34-year-old, he couldn’t end on a win as St George Illawarra Dragons lost in the New South Wales Cup Grand Final against New Zealand Warriors.
It would have capped off an impressive season for Murdoch-Masila in the reserve grade with the veteran only playing once in the NRL this year, part of the team who lost 40-0 to fellow strugglers South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Murdoch-Masila joined St George in 2023 from New Zealand Warriors, having spent 2016 through 2020 in Super League for Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves respectively.
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Former Salford Red Devils and Warrington powerhouse Ben Murdoch-Masila retires
An impressive try-scoring forward, Murdoch-Masila was loved at both Salford and Warrington, making 128 appearances during his five-year stay.
He was part of the Warrington Wolves side that lifted the Challenge Cup in 2019 and was aprt of their Grand Final side the year prior.
As well as shining in Super League, Murdoch-Masila was prominent on the international stage as he made 16 caps for Tonga, including at the 2017 and the 2022 World Cups.
In total, he presented his nation 16 times with the last of those being in the quarter-final defeat at the most recent World Cup.
His management team Crown Sports Management hailed Murdoch-Masila for the amazing journey that he had been on, one that saw him become a fan favourite at two separate Super League clubs.
Their statement read: “Congratulations on one amazing journey. Thank for you taking us along for the ride, Dox.
“From Australia to the UK, then to NZ and then back to Australia. Then in between you & Roxy Murdoch starting a family and look at you now Ben Murdoch-Masila, you are one of the most respected men in the game.
“You’ve left your touch and assisted a lot of people in the game, and for that, you should be super proud.
“Happy retirement, Dox. We are looking forward to the next chapter with you.”
His wife posted a similar message with images of his times playing on both sides of the globe.
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