One of the outstanding outside backs of his generation, North Queensland Cowboys centre Brent Tate, has today announced his retirement from rugby league.

The 32-year-old was contracted to North Queensland for the 2015 NRL season, but said the latest serious knee injury of his career had forced him to bring forward his retirement date.

Tate hasn’t played since rupturing his ACL playing for Queensland in game two of the State of Origin series in June – the fourth time he has been unlucky enough to be sidelined by an ACL tear.

He will be honoured for his contribution to the Cowboys over the past four years, and rugby league in general, with a lap of honour at North Queensland’s round 26 NRL clash with Manly at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville on Saturday night.

Tate achieved just about everything there is to achieve in rugby league, including playing in State of Origin, grand final and World Cup winning teams.

Despite his injury setbacks, his 14-year career featured 229 matches, including 67 for the Cowboys who he has helped to finals football in each of his four seasons.

Read more at Cowboys.com.au