League: Simon Mannering continues to consider retirement

Simon Mannering continues to agonise over the vexed question of retirement and hasn't yet made a decision despite giving himself a deadline. Photo / Photosport

It's one of the hardest decisions of Simon Mannering's career and it won't be made for a while yet.

The Warriors veteran is contemplating retirement, but also considering continuing into the 2019 season.

He had set a self-imposed deadline of the bye round to make up his mind, but is no closer to what will be an extremely tough call.

"No I haven't," said Mannering when asked yesterday if he had fixed on his destiny. "I guess missing the start of the season it has taken me longer to sort out [than I thought].

But the club has been really good. They said 'don't rush'. I thought they needed to know sooner rather than later, with salary cap reasons and all that. But they said take your time, so I am going to use that time."

His thought process is typical of Mannering's selfless attitude, where he consistently puts the club first. It's also evidence of the gravity of the decision.

The 288-game veteran still loves the sport, but also wants to get the timing right.

"It's a big decision for me and my family," said Mannering. "I've probably got more things to weigh up now than previous times when I have been off contract. If I am not playing, then the decision is a pretty scary one so I want to make sure it is the right one."

It's a logical call. Mannering has had an injury interrupted season, featuring in only eight of the first 12 rounds. The 31-year-old took some time to get his game conditioning back
up to speed, and has had to adjust to an unaccustomed bench role at times. So it has been hard to gauge both his ability, and physical readiness to perform for another campaign.

"You still want to be able to offer something on the field and keep your high standards," said Mannering. "If you don't think you are physically up to that I wouldn't want to be taking anyone's spot or holding the team back in any way.

"I guess time will tell; further into the season I'll know how the body is feeling and if it is up to another 12 months of what is necessary to play an NRL season. I still love being on the field but if anything it is the training that takes a bigger toll on the body."

Mannering is also, for the first time since his early days of his Warriors career, battling for his place in the starting XIII. Tohu Harris has one back row spot sewn up, and Adam Blair is preferred at lock.

For the last few weeks, Mannering has alternated with Isaiah Papali'i as the left edge forward, though Leivaha Pulu (injured) also made an impact there early in the season.

Mannering also confirmed he has "had a yarn" with new Kiwis coach Michael Maguire ahead of the test in Denver. He admits the North American venture is an exciting concept, but doesn't feel he is assured of selection.

"It's still a few weeks away, that's another decision really to see where I am at physically," said Mannering.

"It's a great concept going to America to play, and a new endeavour for our game. But there are a lot of good [Kiwis] players around these days."