Former Wallabies forward Scott Fardy has announced his retirement from rugby union.
Currently playing with Leinster after joining the Irish club in 2017, the 36-year-old will hang up the boots at the end of the current European season.
Fardy was capped 39 times by the Wallabies between 2013 and 2016 and was an integral part of the 2015 World Cup squad, forming a potent back-row combination with David Pocock and Michael Hooper en route to the final at Twickenham.
But it took him a long time to establish himself in the professional game. It wasn’t until 2012 when, aged 28, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies, and he would go on to make 97 appearances for the side.
Since moving to Leinster, Fardy has enjoyed considerable success, winning the Champions Cup once and PRO14 four times.
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“I’ve loved every minute of this adventure, not only the last few years with Leinster but all of it and of course there is still a lot of rugby to be played this season,” Fardy said in making his announcement.
“We are still on a high after the weekend and we’ve a massive few weeks ahead and that is our focus right now.
“We’ve a week off at the moment and then we’ll begin our build-up with a game against Munster Rugby and then the massive challenge of facing La Rochelle away in France.
“There will be time to sit back, reflect and to thank the clubs and the people that have played a part in my playing career when the season is done and maybe even in person.
“It’s been a hard year for everyone in society and playing without our fans has been difficult but hopefully off the back of Monday’s news, I might be able to say thank you and goodbye at the RDS in front of our supporters which would be special.”
A future in the coach’s box could yet await Fardy. Speaking to The Roar last yeah, the forward said it was something he would consider after his playing days.
“I’d like to consider coaching when I finally hang up my boots – that is, if I’m not too worried about getting my weekends back,” he said.
“You’re either all in or you’re not, so it’s a back and white situation. I’d recommend any young Australian coach come to Europe because so the environment is so foreign. You can look at doing the same things a different way and I think that is very important.”
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
And to think he didn’t even have a super career till his late twenties. A long apprenticeship, but mastery was won.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Imagine holding the bag for a tackle demo by the coach? “Okay fellas, this is how you stop a test prop…….”
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Winston Churchill said if you’re not making enemies you’re ineffective. Fardy gave away penalties, and won them too. Net return? World Cup final in 2015.
Markie362
Guest
I thought fardy altlough a tough,skilled player was a bit of a penalty magnet when playing for the wallabies
Ben Elvy
Roar Rookie
Congratulations on a great career. One of those unsung, honest, hard toilers that every team is built on. Fancy heading back to the Rats for a coaching gig? That rail above the Steve Temple Bar could hold another legend...
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Didn't matter if he was playing for ya or agin ya, you just loved to sit back and watch him go and boy could he go. In fact, I think he still can. Thanks Scott.
Lara
Guest
Top player and only appreciated by the rugby public. Should have been a regular in the national team, but let go.....total waste. Glad to hear he is considering coaching. Seems to have the right temperament to make a great coach. I look forward to his new phase in rugby.
Connor33
Guest
Agreed, Jez. The back row for Fardy, Pocock and Hooper was the only way to make pooper work. And bloody Cheika likely asks Leinster to do him a favor and give Fardy and offer he can’t refuse because he needed to blood new players for 2019. Well, who was one of the best bloody players in the world in 2019–and not playing international rugby. Bloody Fardy. Bloody disgrace.
JC
Roar Rookie
Pooper got a lot of plaudits at the 2015 RWC but Fardy was just as integral to the Wallabies’ backrow at that time. Glad his talents were recognised at Leinster. Shouldn’t forget his decision to stay on in Japan to support his rugby community in the wake of the tsunami, either.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
And his Mum! …..One of Warringah’s finest. :stoked:
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Another disgraceful selection failure from Cheika. His biased attitude to go for Ned only weakened the team. Congrats SF…a great guy who deserved just so much more in Rugby. His generosity to the unfortunate was to be admired.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
And isn’t Dennis proud of his boy?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Hw was my favourite Wallaby in recent years, a genuine no-nonsense hard man with a huge ticker!
PeterK
Roar Guru
should of been retained playing tests up to rwc 2019. Sure then look at renewal.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
It was so clear that Fardy was the one making the Pooper work. Without him it was a failure every single time.
AndyS
Guest
Good player and a genuinely nice bloke. Best wishes to him going forward.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Legendary player :rugby:
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
He is. My wife and I used to bump into his parents a lot at a great lunch spot on the way to Canberra for home games......so I may be a little biased :laughing:
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
... and for the years Fardy was excommunicated by Cheika, the Wallabies game was blatantly deficient because of the hole his exact skill set left in the side and was never filled because no other players at the time came close to the quality that Fardy's was at Test level. Oppositions, especially the AB's knew that, exploited it and punished us each game with some lop-sided results.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well done Scott Fardy. Played hard. Did good.