Thank you, Captain Pritchard!

07 January 2018, 12:00AM

A note from the Toa Samoa Family


A leader, a team man and above all, a family man who has time for all. The Toa Aiga wishes Frank all the best with his future endeavours…

Toa Samoa captain Frank Pritchard has announced his retirement from playing rugby league, after turning down the opportunity to play on for a 16th season.

Frank made his NRL debut with the Penrith Panthers in 2003. 

He played 144 NRL games for the Club, scoring 37 tries.

In 2011 Frank moved to the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, quickly becoming a fan favourite and cult hero in the blue and white. He was appointed co-captain alongside Michael Ennis in 2014, and played a total of 104 NRL games for the Bulldogs, scoring 20 tries.

Always one to put the team before the man, Frank departed the Bulldogs at the end of season 2015, to allow the Dogs to retain key, younger players. Frank made his way to Hull FC, and helped the Club make history in their Challenge Cup victory over the Warrington Wolves. 

Frank played 24 games for Hull FC, scoring 5 tries, but found it difficult to flourish due to being played out of position.

Season 2017 saw a return to the NRL with the Parramatta Eels, playing alongside younger brother, Kaysa, in the blue and gold. Injury saw Frank play only 8 games for the Eels.

Frank made his representative debut for New Zealand in 2005 and went on to play 27 tests for the Kiwis, including the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. 

In 2014, Frank elected to play for Samoa in the Pacific Test and went on to Captain the Toa in its highly successful 2014 Four Nations campaign. Frank played 8 tests for Toa Samoa, including the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

A leader, a team man and above all, a family man who has time for all. The Toa Aiga wishes Frank all the best with his future endeavours.

07 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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