Wallaby George Smith retires from test rugby

Reuters

NO MORE: Wallaby great George Smith has announced his immediate retirement from test rugby.

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Australia's most capped Test forward George Smith says he's retiring from international rugby to spend more time with his family.

The flanker, who represented the Wallabies 110 times at Test level, announced on Friday he was drawing the curtain on one of Australian rugby's most successful careers.

The 29-year-old will now play out this year's Super 14 competition with the Brumbies before seeking a lucrative deal overseas, where he says he and his family can spend some "quality time" together experiencing a new culture.

The two-time John Eales Medallist, the most capped openside forward in Test history, said he'd been contemplating stepping away from the game even before signing a three-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) last year.

"The decision to retire from Test rugby has been a very difficult one for me and one that I've made after much consideration and soul-searching over months," Smith said.

"Although I believe I could play competitive rugby at the highest level for many years to come, in recent times I believe the Wallabies have created the right balance between providing opportunity for young talent within Australian rugby and also having the knowledge and experience of senior players."

Making the decision somewhat easier for Smith has been the emergence of Western Force star David Pocock in the Wallabies set-up.

Smith shared the No.7 jersey with the Zimbabwe-born 21-year-old throughout last year's northern hemisphere tour, and he felt he left the national team with a bright future going into next year's World Cup.

"Under Robbie Deans the Wallaby player group has committed themselves and worked incredibly hard and I believe that the fruits of their hard work will be seen in the months and years ahead," he said.

"With Rocky (Elsom), Robbie and the current player group, I believe that the Wallaby brand and culture is in the best of hands.

"I believe now is the time to give back to my family, to be able to spend more quality time with my wife and young children."

A World Cup finalist with the Wallabies in 2003, Smith said he has many great memories from his international career with the 2001 series victory over the British and Irish Lions and Bledisloe Cup wins over New Zealand particular highlights.

Plaudits immediately began to flow for Smith with ARU chief executive John O'Neill and Deans among the first to congratulate the player.

"One of the finest players to pull on a Wallaby jersey has decided to call it a day on his Test career," O'Neill said.

"His contribution to the game in this country has been extraordinary ... the ARU did not want him to leave."

Deans, who coached All Blacks' skipper and world class backrower Richie McCaw during his time with Canterbury, said Smith deserved to be remembered as Australia's best ever openside flanker.

He said playing over 100 Tests and 120 Super rugby matches before his 30th birthday showed Smith's remarkable consistency.

"You have to say he's the best that's ever pulled on a Wallabies jersey, I think, simply through the weight of numbers," Deans said.

"Crikey, it's a tough position. You look at that number of games at Super rugby as well as Test level, plus the travel - it's the toughest competition in the world when you consider the travel - he's the greatest."

Smith said winning this year's Super 14 title with the Brumbies would be the ideal way to end his time in Australia.

"The Brumbies is an organisation that has shaped so much of my rugby career and I could think of no more appropriate way to repay them than with a title," he said.

He said he had no plans as yet on his future club overseas, but French side Toulon could be high on the list after they apparently tried to sign Smith at the end of 2008.

GEORGE SMITH FACT FILE

Born: July 14, 1980
Height: 180cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Flanker

Test debut: vs France, 2000
Test caps: 110 (45 points, 9 tries)
Super 14 debut: vs Sharks, 2000
Super 14 caps: 120 (75 pts, 15 tries)

* 2003 and 2007 Wallabies World Cup member
* Won two John Eales medals
* Won eight Brett Robinson Awards as the player's player of the year at the Brumbies
* Is the most capped forward in Australian history and second most capped player in Wallabies history behind George Gregan (139)
* Is the most capped openside forward in the history of rugby union
* Was the youngest player to win 100 Test caps at 29 years, four days against New Zealand in Auckland in 2009
* Became Australia's 75th Test captain by leading his country against Canada in the 2007 World Cup
* Won the 2004 Super 14 title with the Brumbies

- AAP