The 33-year-old won the 2005 premiership with Wests and said the time is right to bring an end to his 14-year NRL career.

“Announcing my retirement is obviously a big thing for me as it’s a transition into the next part of my life,” Halatau said.

“I felt as though the time is right and it’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time now.

“I was grateful to the club, JT (Jason Taylor) and the coaching staff for giving me this year; I still feel as though I’m playing good enough football to contribute well for the team.

“I’ve had a few little injuries over the past season that have just been quite frustrating more than anything and while I’m still feeling okay I think it’s the right time to hang the boots up.

“I’m making the announcement now about retirement but it’s definitely not putting a full stop on the season, and I don’t think for the team either as we are building something really good here.”

Tigers coach Jason Taylor described Halatau as an ultimate professional.

“Dene has been an absolute pleasure to coach,” Taylor said.

“He is the ultimate professional, leads by example in every way that you possibly can as a rugby league player.

“He has great advice and sets a great example for every player at Wests Tigers, not just the young ones but the older guys also look to him for leadership and he will be sorely missed at the club.

“Dene has been a player that I think everyone has looked up to for a long time, even when he was a younger guy he still would’ve been setting those great examples.

“It was great for us to be able to give him an official role as far as being one of our vice-captains in what has ended up being the last season of his career – he deserves that recognition because of the way he carries himself on and off the field.”