Wycliff Palu has called a time on his international career as he prepares to continue his playing days in Japan.
The 34-year-old racked up 57 appearances for the Wallabies after making his debut in 2006.
However, injuries curtailed his career in recent seasons, most notably a hamstring issue which forced him out of the Wallabies World Cup squad last year.
National coach Michael Cheika revealed on Friday that Palu told him of the decision to end his Test career at the end of Australia’s 3-0 series loss to England in June.
“He came and spoke to me after the series on him moving on and retiring from international rugby,” Cheika said.
“He doesn’t want any noise about this stuff.”
However, Cheika felt allowing Palu to leave without much fanfare would be a disservice to a player of his calibre.
“He’s one of the greatest servants we have, he’s done so much for Australian rugby, he shouldn’t be shifting outside the side door to Japan.
“He’s been one of the great players I’ve coached because not only because of the way he plays the game but his attitude towards the team and what he does for the team, all class and always understated never looking for a team.”
Palu had been a stalwart at No.8 with the Waratahs since making his Super Rugby debut in 2005, racking up 135 caps for NSW. He had originally planned to leave the Super Rugby franchise at the end of the 2015 season after signing a contract with Japanese side Toyota Verblitz.
However, his injury allowed him to play one last season on Australian shores, providing the chance to play one final Test for the Wallabies in June.
Bakkies
Guest
The average joe attends matches and pays tv subs that contribute to the coffers that then are used to pay their wages
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Good luck to him, served Australia well, enjoy the rest of the rugby life it Japan. I think he was one of the last of his type of No.8. It has now shifted to a Keiren Read / Warren Whiteley type, and he could not keep up.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Sadly Bakkies the only thing hurt here is your rep... and that's the plain truth of the matter.
Chivas
Guest
As hard as it seems to appear for you to understand the sane could be said of virtually every position in the Wallaby side. Consequently, I think your comments come across as petty on an article and day when a guy announces his retirement. Anyway, this site is full of people expressing personal grievances and prejudices so I expect nothing less. I just thought you were above that and might understand. As for coaches, they are accountable and clearly they aren't perfect, but most international coaches (like Dean's) have far more knowledge and appreciation of the game along with coaching skill and nous than your average joe as you like to put it. And for the record the average joe doesn't pay wages. He or she pays to watch games and make comments on blog sites with relative impugnity.
Bakkies
Guest
The truth hurt?
Bakkies
Guest
Chivas how hard it is to understand that Palu racked up so many caps due to lack of competition at number 8? and also can professional coaches do no wrong and not being made accountable?
CUW
Guest
he was the top 8 in auzzy for about 3 years - say 2010 - 2012. in the early years he was inconsistent - then he got injured in the later years. the bigger issue is thre have not been many good 8s in auzzy , as most of the guys in super rugger were out performed by the nz and sa counterparts. imo that is why he was considered the genuine 8 in auzzy for such a long time , especially in the last few years when he was kind of half fit and half form.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Thank you Cliffy, you were a legend. Hope you enjoy the time in Japan, best wishes.
Chivas
Guest
@Bakkies. A guy announces his retirement and these are the only things you can remember of him. Palu was the only person who looked like he could actually get across the gain line since 2009 and the team looked a lot more likely in it than when he wasn't. As for guys like McCalman, Pocock, Lyons, Roe (a similar player to Lyons)... I can't remember any of them being selected ahead of Palu. But that must be because the coaches from Robbie Deans on are all incompetent and not able to hold a candle to the average joe. Up until the 2009 EOYT Palu admittedly struggled to for one reason or another to string a series of top performances together... but since that time in particular he has been first picked notwithstanding injury in both the Wallabies and Tahs for the sole reason he was the best available. An I think you will find most rugby followers agreed with that. As far as coaches and selectors being better than average joes like you and I, yes I do believe they are better, not just by a little but significantly... else average joes like you would be international coaches. Anyway if you think you are, then have a crack Bakkies and see how far you get. If you think it is just about who you know and not what you know, that would be highly delusional. Finally, Palu in my humble opinion deserves a lot more respect on announcing his retirement than the mean spirited, nonsense that you have posted. Yes he may not be as good as Toutai Kefu, but he certainly is worthy of more intelligent comments than what you are putting up. The Wallabies have been damned inconsistent with players like the whole team including Cooper, Beale, Folau etc. but that is not the point. The point is those players earned there spots and got selected on merit just like Palu.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Credibility on your part... an absolutely fat zero!
Bakkies
Guest
He wouldn't be fit to lace Tim Gavin's, Toutai's and WilleO's boots and straps.
Bakkies
Guest
Better? Palu had about five stand out games and the rest he was mediocre. As for the selectors options were McCalman, Roe, Smith out of position to accommodate Waugh, Pocock to accommodate Hooper, Lyons (another sideways merchant), Medicare, the physio and the physio bench. McCalman has improved, Roe retired from Rugby and Lyons went abroad out of the serious options. Ita Va'ea had to stop playing due to blood clots. I would also stop with the coaches knowing better argument. They clearly aren't making the right decisions based on the 'game plan' they are trying to play. On top of that the Wallabies have had a damn inconsistent run over the past ten years with players like Palu, Baxter, Dunning, Phipps, Burgess, Horne etc running up caps, getting leadership positions then running up more caps. So are the selectors know and coaches better with higher pay packets, qualifications and limited results above the average joe who pays their bills?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Great player with an ability to get over the gain line most times. A genuine asset to weak Wallaby packs over the years and will be missed as we do not seem to have a replacement at the moment. Thanks for the memories.....
Chivas
Guest
Who was better, during his time. Picked as a last resort? Have you heard this from any of the Wallaby coaches or you just make it up based on your personal biases? I wouldn't even expect DL to roll out such a tardy comment when a guy, who has been a credit to the jersey, announces his retirement. Palu has done plenty both in the Tahs and in the Wallaby jumper and I am pretty sure people with a lot more knowledge and credibility of the man and his deeds on the field would think comments like yours are a sad reflection on some so called Aussie rugby fans.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Congrats on a really good career Cliffy, a real Warrior for the Tabs and Wallabies. I watched a replay of the 2014 Super 15 Final the other day, Cliffy had a huge game. Enjoy Japan big man !
BluesMan
Guest
Meh you clearly know more than all the professional coaches who wanted him.....NOT!!
Bakkies
Guest
Probably because he is big and useless. Don't expect an offload either.
Lroy
Guest
He was my favorite Wallaby for a long time, reminded me of the great Willie O and he was as good as Toutai Kefu IMO. Im sure theres a few All Blacks who wont be sad to see the back of him ;-)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Boz... he gave his life for us numerous times on the battle-field! :))
Boz the Younger
Guest
He still is a great man, he has only retired, not died ;-)