While most expected Tahu to retire at the end of his second stint at Newcastle, the 34 year old is keen to pursue opportunities to play rugby in France next year. However, his first priority is to pass on his experiences to promising teens coming through the grades through his Prolete Academy and as an ambassador for Movember.

Having played 196 NRL games and represented his country in both rugby codes in a professional career stretching into its 15th year, Tahu is ideally placed to share his experiences with the next generation of stars.

"It's to help kids with their skills or those who are struggling to get into rep teams," Tahu said of Prolete. "It's a chance for them to work on their strength, speed and power. I want to teach people the skills I've learned over the years."

Tahu will miss the beginning of the French rugby season but several clubs are keen to add him as an emergency import should one of their rostered players succumb to a long-term injury.

"I didn't want to retire now, my body still feels good," he said.

"I'm still running quick and lifting pretty heavy. At the Knights I wasn't really needed in first grade but it was good to get in two games and have a good send off.

"The club has helped me heaps over the years and was appreciative to finish off like that.

"I'm not interested in the NRL any more, I mainly want to enjoy my football and take the family overseas. My last two years I don't want to treat like a business, I want to go over there and enjoy my footy."

Tahu, whose strike rate of 121 tries from 196 NRL games is amongst the highest in league history, was keen to lend his name to the Movember. The cause aims to improve the lives of those suffering from mental health issues or from testicular or prostate cancer.

The 34 year old pointed to the likes of former teammate Andrew Johns and NSW captain Paul Gallen, who are both said to have suffered forms of depression during illustrious careers.

"I was honoured to jump into a good cause," he said.

"It's about talking about things that men don't talk about. I've never grown a moustache, this is the first time, so family and friends are laughing at me already.

"With mental health, that's a big issue in professional sport, there's plenty with bi-polar.

"It's a tough being a professional athlete, you could be going good one year and then hit rock bottom. Some players could on a six-figure contract and getting all this exposure and then the next year they're playing local football.

"Lots of players in league and union suffer from it and we're lucky we've got good doctors and staff now compared to when I started. If you're not playing sport, it's a matter of talking to someone and finding help, which is why Movember is so good."