![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/jc_230825_022.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJAMES Roby has two certainties in his mind \u2013 this is definitely it and it will not be 550 and out.<\/p>\n
St Helens\u2019 legendary hooker is bringing the curtain down on a 20-season career that has brought him six Super League titles, four Challenge Cup and two World Club challenges.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To fans, he is Cristiano Ronaldo combined with Lionel Messi \u2013 with the longevity of James Milner and Ryan Giggs.<\/p>\n
His spell at the top would make him a legend in any sport and there are calls for him to follow predecessor Kieron Cunningham by having a statue outside Saints\u2019 stadium.<\/p>\n
Not bad for a man not recognised as a player ahead of his debut.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had trouble getting on the car park,\u201d Roby said of his debut on March 19, 2004 at Saints\u2019 old Knowsley Road ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be fair, I\u2019d only trained with the first team twice, I was just an academy player who was so excited to get one the field and even be in the changing rooms with the idols I went to watch on the terraces.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had trouble for a number of weeks. I had a really rubbish old Mini \u2013 I loved it but no-one else did – so they were probably looking at me thinking, \u2018This guy\u2019s calling our bluff here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s play-off eliminator with Warrington \u2013 a club record-extending 550th<\/sup> appearance – will be his final home match. Lose and Saints\u2019 four-year reign as champions is over with Roby\u2019s career done.<\/p>\n Rugby league has changed on the field since\u00a0Roby\u00a0made his debut. So has how he approaches life \u2013 gone are the regular trips to the chip shop.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n And seeing players play other sports for longer – Ronaldo is 38, Messi 36, Milner also 37 – will become a more regular occurrence.<\/p>\n \u201cAcross sport, you\u2019ve got the general evolution of sports science. There have also been developments around care, the mental side and head injuries,\u201d Roby added.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there\u2019s a lot more help to aid a player in terms of their longevity. I\u2019m proud I\u2019ve done 20 seasons in such a gruelling sport as rugby league \u2013 anyone who does more than 10 has done well.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been very lucky and numerous sports people are doing it when they\u2019re older than me or a similar age. It\u2019s the way things are going.<\/p>\n \u201cI was a naturally sporty lad, so I took it for granted I could eat what I wanted and I probably did get away with it for a long period.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t think twice about, \u2018I can\u2019t be bothered cooking, so I\u2019ll just go to the chippy or pick something up,\u2019 but the older I\u2019ve got, the better I\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n Roby has delayed retirement once already \u2013 now thoughts of what to do next are in his mind, both in and out of rugby league.<\/p>\n And being recognised in his hometown, much like Cunningham, would appeal as he told SunSport: \u201cI\u2019d be very humbled and honoured.<\/p>\n \u201cKeiron is an absolute legend. He paved the way and I sat patiently behind him for a number of years.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was the man and rightly so, he is statue is outside the stadium. If I\u2019m considered in the bracket, it would be very nice for future generations of my family.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking down a few avenues at the minute about what I do next.<\/p>\n \u201cPart of me holds rugby league in high regard and it\u2019s where my knowledge and experience is but there\u2019s an equal part of me who\u2019d like a fresh change. Something will be sorted before Christmas.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/newspress-collage-24135416-1695714023884.jpg\")
<\/picture>‘SADLY MISSED’ <\/span><\/p>\nNRL legend dies aged 84 after astonishing career as player and coach<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>DO MY BIT <\/span><\/p>\nPaul Vaughan to aid Warrington’s play-off bid in other ways after ban heartache<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>DREAMERS <\/span><\/p>\nLeigh’s superb season rewarded with five players in Super League’s Dream Team<\/h3>\n
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<\/picture>‘SADLY MISSED’ <\/span><\/p>\nNRL legend dies aged 84 after astonishing career as player and coach<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>DO MY BIT <\/span><\/p>\nPaul Vaughan to aid Warrington’s play-off bid in other ways after ban heartache<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>DREAMERS <\/span><\/p>\nLeigh’s superb season rewarded with five players in Super League’s Dream Team<\/h3>\n
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