Kurt Baptiste

Ex-NRL journeyman calls time on career

The 30-year-old has hung up the boots after 80 career appearances.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Ex-NRL forward Kurt Baptiste has officially hung up the boots on his rugby league career.

The 30-year-old, who endured a luckless run with injuries across his time in the top flight, tallied 80 professional matches across stints with the Broncos, Raiders, Roosters, Cowboys and English club the Leigh Centurions.

Baptiste also represented Papua New Guinea on seven occasions, including four Tests in the 2017 World Cup.

Shoulder and knee surgeries continued to hamper Baptiste's career in the NRL, having only made double-digit appearances for Canberra, who he joined on two occasions.

The second stint saw the Brisbane-born forward unable to pull on the slime green after being signed for the 2020 season. Having been cut by the Raiders at the end of that year, Baptiste returned north to represent the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.

Baptiste took to social media on Saturday to officially call time on his career, expressing his pride and thanks in the opportunities those around him gave.

"Officially retired," Baptiste wrote in a post to Instagram. "I don’t even know where to begin.

"These past years have been one hell of a ride. I have taken this time to look back on it all, and although it was never easy, I feel incredibly proud of all that I’ve achieved.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 12: Kurt Baptiste and James Tedesco of the Roosters congratulate each other after winning the round 10 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium on May 12, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

"My career has had so many highs and lows. It all started at Broncos under 20’s, I then made my NRL debut at 19. This was also the start of an injury plagued journey. I had 2 shoulder surgeries before I was handed a lifeline from the Canberra Raiders.

"I will always be incredibly grateful to Ricky for this. Canberra was the start of something great. I worked so hard to earn my spot in the main squad, to only go down with another injury - my 3rd shoulder surgery in 4 years.

"I spent the next couple of years on a high in Canberra. We made the semi finals in 2016.

"I played international tests for PNG. I made friends for life. I got married. I came back and ruptured my achillies, in pre season on the back of one of my personal best years, it was shattering. I remember feeling completely broken, but worked so hard and came back in just over 5 months.

"I finished the year on another high with the Raiders, and played in World Cup for PNG. The next few years were a whirlwind! Roosters, then Cowboys, another test game with PNG which is where I did what would be my career ending injury - ACL.

"It’s not the way I ever wanted to go out, but you don’t get to choose your story. I’ve asked myself over the years “why me”, but I’ve also remembered all that I’ve achieved.

"The memories I have, on and off field. The friends I have made, real, honest friends - the ones you’ll cherish for life.

"I want to thank my wife who has been through this roller coaster, she’s sacrificed so much for me so that I could live out my dream. I couldn’t have done this without you and am always grateful for you.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Kurt Baptiste of the Cowboys passes the ball during the round nine NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

"To my Mum, Dad and family thanks for always supporting me and travelling to my games - ever since I started playing, until my very last game. I’ve never taken for granted how lucky I am to have you all."

Baptiste played 17 games for the Falcons last season, adding to his QLD Cup career after previous campaigns with Northern Pride and the South Logan Magpies.

Published by
Mitch Keating