SYDNEY: Injury-plagued Australian great David Pocock announced Friday he will retire from international rugby at the end of the World Cup. The 31-year-old flanker called time on his Super Rugby career in May, but had not said whether he planned to continue with the Wallabies after the tournament in Japan.
But he told reporters yesterday the game against Samoa in Sydney on Saturday, where he will be captain, would be his last on home soil. “I feel like it’s time to move onto other things and contribute in other areas,” said Pocock, who will reunite with Japanese Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights next season.
He pointed to the rise of young Australian backrowers such as Liam Wright and Rob Valetini as part of his reason to call it quits. “I think looking at the flankers coming through, I think we’re in good hands and that’s exciting for Australian rugby,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve put a lot into it, I’ve really enjoyed it, benefited a huge amount.” He joins a growing list of Australians retiring from international duty after the World Cup, including Will Genia and Sekope Kepu.
Fellow veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau, who missed out on World Cup selection, is also hanging up his international boots after Saturday’s game. Pocock, considered a master of the breakdown and vital to Australia’s World Cup hopes, made his Wallabies debut in 2008 and has gone on to play 77 Tests for his country.
But he has been wracked with injury in recent years, needing knee reconstructions that hampered him in 2013 and 2014. He has barely played this year after a series of calf, neck and concussion problems and is making his return against Samoa for his first Test in almost a year. – AFP
