Nathan Sharpe insists he's not planning to "do a John Farnham" and extend his Wallabies retirement beyond October this year.

The Western Force second-rower had originally planned to make this Saturday's third Test against Wales in Sydney his international swansong, but the 104-Test veteran succumbed to the wishes of coach Robbie Deans and postponed his Wallabies retirement on Tuesday.

With skipper James Horwill ruled out of the upcoming Rugby Championship with a hamstring injury and another experienced second-rower Dan Vickerman also sidelined, Sharpe's veteran status became even more crucial.

Sharpe was invited for a coffee and chat last Friday by Deans, who broached the subject of Sharpe extending his international career.

"Over the course of the last week it was discussed at certain times and yesterday we came to the conclusion it (playing on) would be a good thing for us all moving forward," Sharpe told reporters on Wednesday.

"Right across the board, we've got a fairly young group, so if there's any experience I can impart on those guys that's going to help the Wallabies moving forward then that's great."

He was adamant the October 20 Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane would be his final game and that there wasn't a chance of him going on the Spring tour of the northern hemisphere.

"This is it, there will be no more John Farnham's after this," quipped Sharpe.

He suggested the chat with his children about postponing his rugby retirement might be tougher than the one he had with Deans.

"I'll see my kids on Sunday and that will be the hardest chat I think," Sharpe said.

"I haven't seen them for a couple of weeks - they were sort of counting down the days.

"I think they thought there was four (Test and Super Rugby) games left to go, there might be 11 now.

"I'll have that chat with them and hopefully they go easy on their old man."

Picked in each of the Wallabies' first four Tests this year has enabled Sharpe to climb into third spot on the list of most-capped Wallabies.

Starting the season joint fifth on 101 with David Campese, he has also moved past Stephen Larkham (102).

Provided he remains fit and in form, Sharpe should squeeze into second place ahead of George Smith (110) before finally hanging up his boots, but George Gregan's record of 139 Tests is well out of reach.

Sharpe is the only current Wallaby to be part of an Australian squad that held the Bledisloe Cup and that was way back in his rookie year of 2002.

Horwill came out of hospital on Wednesday after undergoing surgery on his hamstring and team officials said the operation went well.

If his recovery goes well, the Queensland skipper is a chance of making the Spring tour, but it appears more likely his return won't be until next year.

- AAP