Former Wallabies flanker George Smith has retired from rugby, ending a career notable for its quality and longevity.
One of the great Australian rugby careers is finally over after George Smith announced his retirement following 20 years of yeoman service.
Smith’s short-term contract with English club Bristol finished over the weekend, leaving the 38-year-old to announce he would end a professional tenure that had encompassed half his life, beginning as a dreadlocked teenager with the Brumbies in 2000.
His first of 111 Tests followed that year and he became fixture on the openside flank for a decade, rarely dropping his standards and being widely acknowledged as one of his country’s finest performers.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to play professionally for the past 20 years,” he wrote in a statement.
“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 made special mention of former Brumbies and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, now England’s coach, who he described as his most important rugby 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,” Smith 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.”
Aside from a one-off appearance against the British and Irish Lions in 2013, the second half of Smith’s career was away from the Test arena and notable for how his standards rarely dipped.
He played at seven different clubs in France, England and Japan, along with a two-season stint at the Queensland Reds which finished last year.
The two-time John Eales medallist stunned observers as Smith went through his paces with Bristol last week.
An English journalist noted that rather than ease off, Smith stayed after training to complete fitness and skills extras.
George Smith’s career at a glance
First game: Warringah Roos, aged 4.
Super Rugby: Brumbies – 142 games (2000-10, 2013). Reds – 22 games (2017-18)
Wallabies: 111 Tests, 9 tries
John Eales Medals: 2002 and 2008
Lara
Guest
Just loved the way he went about his business, always there, the art of the no. 7.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Met George in an empty pub in Twickenham watching Wallabies v Boks just before he started with Wasps. Lovely bloke willing to chat rugby with a nuffie. Bought me a beer and checked if I was driving before letting me go for another. Brilliant player, super tough and fair
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Will the Saffas return his hair or place it in a special location for admiration?
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
There is this beautiful Roman poem from Catullus of a soldier visiting the grave of his brother, he can only stay a few minutes, so he ends the poem and says: “Ave, atque vale!”
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks Mr Smith. Words like “champion” and “legend” seem barely adequate. Maybe one of the few players who was literally a “game-changer”.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:) Oh yeah, rugby!
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Congratulations George on a wonderful career. I’ve always loved watching you play. Thanks for the memories!
Andrew
Guest
Yep, one of my favourite players of my era. His consistent high standard of play made him a joy to watch.
Paulie
Guest
Enjoy your retirement George now an official Evergreen I have always been amazed at your stamina and strength around the paddock an awesome presence hopefully you will not be lost to the coaching ranks...good luck mate
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
Absolute legend. Is he already in the Hall of Fame? Does rugby have one? I reckon he'd be in the World Rugby Hall of Fame...alongside Eales. My favourite backrower ever.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Riccardus Riccardum Riccardo Riccardi Riccardorum.... Or something like that? Thanks for the clarification Riccardo. I often come on here for insights into Latin, religion, employment law, and occasionally rugby.
Joe
Roar Rookie
What a legend of the game. You could tell how much he loved representing Australia by the way he played the game.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
We have had a few great players from his day and he was one of them. I would have preferred that he stay in Australian rugby when he left, assuming his Wallaby career was over with the amazing rise of Pocock. Nobody who ever saw him play could question his amazing ability, guts and determination, not only over the ball but in creating opportunities and scoring tries. Has any player stayed as good as him into the twilight of his long career?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Jeez you guys. Vale is farewell or be strong in Latin; can't believe this is not a required subject in schools. I know it's commonly a response to someone's passing but it feels right for a truly great rugby player hanging up his boots. It would be wonderful if he took up a post that saw him impart some of that technique, wisdom and belief into an area where the Wallabies are struggling. I think what's getting lost in all this fanfare about Israel is the tenuous state of the game in a former powerhouse of rugby; it needs all the help it can get...
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Pull the other one Chook.
Chris
Guest
He did extras after his last training session? That would have to be the first time to n his 20 years. This is the man who worked out a few years ago if you play continuous northern and southern seasons there is no pre-season!
Machooka
Roar Guru
I was only pulling his leg... Ken Besides he's a Webel rebel supporter... pfft! :)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The ‘Vale’ may here been for our RWC chances atm. Great career George Smith. You span back to the era when we were second best in the world, and you had a lot to do with our ranking. Well played.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Noice Riccardo... 'Vale George', ffs!?! ;)
Machooka
Roar Guru
Onya big bottom! For a Northern Beaches beach bum you've done good son... really good. 20 years of really good. Thanks for all the memories as your legacy will not be forgotten :)