Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in | Become a Member - no adverts Manage My Membership | Log out
Menu
  • News
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Three-time Super League winner Flower announces rugby league retirement

News, Sport | Rhys Williams | Published: 09:59, Tuesday September 21st, 2021.
Last updated: 10:02, Tuesday September 21st, 2021

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Ben Flower in action for Wigan Warriors
Ben Flower in action for Wigan Warriors

Caerphilly-born prop Ben Flower has announced his retirement from professional rugby league.

Flower, 33, from Abertridwr, who was capped 17 times for Wales, started off in union where he played for Bedwas and Newport Gwent Dragons.

He also played for Wales at various youth levels in union.

However, he left Bedwas and switched codes to join the Crusaders in 2007. He played for the team during their first season in the Super League.

During his time at the Crusaders, he made his Wales debut and had a brief loan spell at South Wales Scorpions in 2010.

The following year, the former St Cenydd Comprehensive pupil left the Crusaders and joined Wigan Warriors, where he spent eight years of his career.

He quickly established himself in the Wigan team, and was part of the side that won the 2013 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, beating Hull FC.

He also played in the Super League Grand Final in 2013, where Wigan beat Warrington Wolves.

However, in October 2014, Flower became the first player to be sent off in a Super League Grand Final after twice punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia in the face.

He knocked Hohaia to the floor with one punch then hit the player while he was on the floor.

Ben Flower served a six-month ban for punching Lance Hohaia during the 2014 Super League Grand Final

The incident happened in just the second minute of Britain’s biggest rugby league match, when Flowers reacted to an off-the-ball forearm smash by Hohaia.

Flower was subsequently given a six-month ban – the longest ban ever dished out by the Rugby Football League for an on-field incident.

Flower returned to action in April 2015 and went on to play in yet another Super League Grand Final, but his side were beaten by Leeds Rhinos.

He won his second Super League Grand Final the following year as Wigan beat Warrington Wolves.

In 2017, Flower helped Wigan to a fourth World Club Challenge title.

He played in his last Super League Grand Final in 2018, where Wigan once again came out on top against Warrington.

Injury curtailed his final season with Wigan and he left the club in November 2020, having made 184 appearances and scored 21 tries for the cherry and whites.

?? Best of luck to former Warrior Ben Flower who announced his retirement from Rugby League yesterday.

? In nine seasons with Wigan, Flower played 184 games and won seven major trophies. Congratulations on a brilliant career, Benny! #WWRL pic.twitter.com/CwLbi5PiQT

— Wigan Warriors ??? (@WiganWarriorsRL) September 19, 2021

He went on to join Leigh Centurions but only made four appearances due to injury struggles.

Announcing his retirement in a lengthy Instagram post, Flower said: “Well it’s that time I think all players dread to talk about and this is mine.

“It’s finally my time to call it a day in rugby league at the end of the season. For all the injuries and knocks it’s been worth it.

“As a kid you never think this day will come when you become a professional, but unfortunately it does.”

He went on to thank his family, as well as his former clubs, coaches and team mates and the fans who supported him and “stuck by me in my darkest days”.

He added: “So this is me signing off as a professional rugby player which makes me so sad yet so happy to start a new career in what ever that might be.”


Latest News

  • Caerphilly Council's headquarters in Tredomen
    Community grant funding should be “easier to access”Wednesday, May 18, 2022
  • Haydn Pritchard and Judith Pritchard took two of the three St Cattwg seats for Plaid Cymru
    Why did Plaid Cymru make gains in the St Cattwg ward?Wednesday, May 18, 2022
  • Cwrt Rawlin FC players wearing t-shirts sporting the words 'Football welcomes refugees'
    Football club covers distance from Caerphilly to Kyiv to raise more than £2.5k for UkraineWednesday, May 18, 2022
  • Gethin Davies-Jones, left, with his late brother Glyn Jones
    “When I get out on my bike, there is always the worry in the back of my mind that what happened to my brother could happen to me”Tuesday, May 17, 2022
  • Nelson councillor Sean Morgan
    Council’s Labour group appoints new leaderTuesday, May 17, 2022

Sign up to our daily newsletter



Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £3 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Fleets
Sky Sports

Do you want to become a community reporter?

REGENERATION: The new taskforce has been set-up to help the South Wales Valleys

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly
© 2009-2022 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Britannia House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.