Rapana will hang up the boots at the end of 2025.
Hull FC back Jordan Rapana. (Image: SW PIX)
Jordan Rapana will retire from professional rugby league at the end of the 2025 season – despite having one year to run on his current Hull FC contract.
Rapana has been weighing up the decision for several weeks, coming to his final call and signing the papers this week. That will see him bring the curtain down on a stellar 18-year career where he featured with distinction in both the NRL competition and on the international stage before joining Super League.
In total, the 36-year-old has made over 260 senior appearances, including 16 Test matches for New Zealand. He is a club great at Canberra Raiders, having debuted in the NRL with Gold Coast Titans, who were then coached by current Hull coach John Cartwright.
Making his professional debut in 2008, the Kiwi won rookie honours before taking a break from the game to go on a two-year Mormon mission. He returned to the NRL with the Raiders in 2013, where he became a club legend.
As well as New Zealand, Rapana also featured for the Cook Islands on the international stage. He played for the Kiwis in the 2017 World Cup final.
He joined Hull ahead of the 2025 season as one of several senior signings, helping to change the culture and fortune of the club after last year’s disappointing 11th place finish. He has made 22 appearances for the Black and Whites to date, scoring three tries, having played in the full-back, centre, wing, and half-back positions.
Explaining the decision to call time on his career, Rapana said: “It’s a really tough decision but one that I know is the right decision. I’ve played my whole career being really competitive and that has taken its toll on my body. My body just can’t compete like it used to be able to.
“As sad as it is, I know that it’s opening up another opportunity for somebody else to come in and take my place. And making that decision is a year too early rather than a year too late – I’m happy that it’s on my terms.
“I’m incredibly grateful to so many people who have helped me throughout my career. And it’s strange that the same head coach who took a shot on me and gave me my debut will be the same head coach who sends me out for my final game.
“I look back on my career with a lot of pride and I’m grateful for the opportunity to come over to England and spend my final year with this great club, where I’ve been fortunate enough to make some friends for life.”