AUSTRLIA’S GEORGE SMITH has announced his retirement, calling time on nearly 20 years playing rugby.
The veteran flanker, who made his Super Rugby debut for the ACT Brumbies in 2000 and went on to win 111 Test caps, said it had been an “absolute privilege”.
The final chapter in Smith’s career was a stint with Bristol in England’s Gallagher Premiership.
“Finally the day has come where I officially announce my retirement from professional rugby,” the 38-year-old said in statement on the Rugby Australia website.
“Rugby has provided and given me so much. The dreams that I had of playing rugby professionally as a young bloke, I’m fortunate to say that I’ve lived them and experienced so much more during my time.”
Smith singled out former Brumbies and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, now England coach, for special mention, calling him ” a constant supporter and mentor”.
“I was extremely lucky in my career to have landed myself in Canberra as a young 19-year-old kid, having the luxury of being tutored by the finest peers and coaches in the game at the ACT Brumbies,” he said.
“Those early years in Canberra shaped a part of my rugby identity and further encouraged my personal ambitions to better myself as a rugby player.”
Smith played almost 150 games for the Brumbies during a career that also took him to the Queensland Reds, French sides Toulon, Lyon and Stade Francais, along with Japan’s Suntory and English teams Wasps and Bristol.
He twice won the prestigious John Eales Medal for best Australian player.
Smith did not spell out his next move, but reports in Bristol said he would become defence coach at Tokyo-based Suntory in the Japanese Top League.
This is the same team that sacked him last year following his arrest over the alleged assault of a taxi driver.
He was released after 18 days in police custody after prosecutors decided against pressing charges. Smith denied the allegations.
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Funny how he’s gone from being labelled as weak and immature to one of uniteds best players.
YESSSSSSSS!!!!
Ronaldo said he was happy at united and was gone the following season,I won’t believe it until he signs a new contract
Suarez, Ronaldo, Bale, Fabregas…………when the Clasico two come in for a player, they will eventually get their man
Signing a new contract means nothing now. It was only last December Suarez signed a long term contract with Liverpool and committed his future to them!
Yeah but our gives you leverage to bargain with but unfortunately player power had gone too far
So that’s confirmed…. He’ll be playing for real next seasom
Great news! Now give him a 6 year contract.
Hopefully we can hold on to him. Madrid and Barcelona usually get there man if they want. Give him a 5 year contract and put a 50m price tag on his head to try and put them off.
He wouldn’t save stamps..