Super League star announces shock retirement

Former Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers centre Peter Mata’utia has been linked with the likes of Leeds Rhinos and Sheffield Eagles since it was confirmed he would leave the club at the end of the 2023.

The versatile centre spent two years at the Halliwell Jones following Daryl Powell from Castleford to Warrington.

Now though he has confirmed that he will be retiring instead of making the reported switch to Wakefield trinity as a replacement for Reece Lyne.

Mata’utia is one of a number of exits. Daryl Clark, Thomas Mikaele, Greg Minikin, Jack Darbyshire and Aiden Doolan will all leave the club.

Mata’utia joined the club at the start of the 2022 season and has made 54 appearances for the Wire to date. He has played a big role off the field too, forming an integral part of our leadership group over the last two seasons.

Minikin also joined at the start of last season and showed his commitment and dedication to overcome an ACL injury before making his debut last July. He’s made 20 appearances for the club to date.

It was confirmed earlier this year that hooker Clark will leave the club to join St Helens. Our no.9 has made 240 appearances in primrose and blue, scoring 51 tries. He famously scored the decisive try in our 2019 Challenge Cup Final win over Saints where he also picked up the Lance Todd trophy for a man-of-the-match display.

Clark will lead out the team as captain in his final home game tomorrow night against St Helens.

Mikaele rejoined the club last month on a short-term deal and has made 23 appearances across his two spells with the Wire. He will return to Australia at the end of the year.

Academy graduates Jack Darbyshire and Aiden Doolan will also depart for new opportunities in 2024.

Mata’utia’s exit can be explained by the return of Toby King from Wigan Warriors.

The 27-year-old centre progressed through the club’s Academy ranks, making his debut in 2014 and has since scored 52 tries in 138 appearances for the Wire.

King joined Huddersfield Giants on loan for the second part of the 2022 campaign before a season-long loan with the Warriors this year. He has scored 10 Super League tries this campaign and started for England in the mid-season test against France in April.

The centre will rejoin his Wire teammates when pre-season training begins in November under new Head Coach Sam Burgess.

Warrington Wolves Director of Rugby Gary Chambers said: “We are delighted to welcome Toby back to the club.

“During the past couple of seasons he will have amassed a wealth of knowledge from being involved in different environments which can only be beneficial to himself and the club.

“He returns to us at the peak of his physical capabilities. Sam and the staff are looking forward to working with him and are excited to see what he can bring to the team for the 2024 season.”