The Wests Tigers winger and former Kiwi rugby league international Taniela Tuiaki has been forced into NRL retirement after failing to recover from a chronic ankle injury.
Tuiaki was hoping to return to action this season after missing the entire 2010 season due to a broken ankle suffered against Parramatta in round 24 of 2009.
However, despite three operations, Tuiaki's ankle has not responded enough to treatment and the 110kg flyer hangs up the boots at the age of just 28 after playing 78 matches for the Tigers and four Tests for New Zealand.
Tuiaki's powerful bursts made him a cult figure at the Tigers, and the injury struck in the same season he scored a club-record 21 tries and was named Dally M winger of the year.
