The rugby career of former ACT Brumbies and Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone is over.
Rathbone confirmed yesterday he had played his last game of professional rugby, citing injuries and a declining desire as the main reasons behind his decision.
The 28-year-old came off contract with the Brumbies at the end of last season and fielded offers from the Western Force and multiple overseas clubs for 2010 and beyond.
But the terms largely the time frame of those deals did not suit Rathbone, who only wanted to sign for one season.
Convincing him he had made the correct decision was the fact he suffered five fractures to his eye socket and upper cheek in a collision playing for Uni-Norths Owls in the John I Dent Cup on Saturday.
He is expected to have surgery later this week.
Rathbone said his long-term health was also behind his decision.
He retires with 52 Super rugby caps for the Brumbies and 26 Tests for the Wallabies.
''I've decided to hang up the boots, it's all over,'' Rathbone said.
''I need to look after my long-term health and when I couldn't agree with any of the contracts that were in front of me for next year, I figured it would be best to step aside.''
Injuries have dominated Rathbone's time at the Brumbies.
He missed the first year of his first contract signed after captaining the South African under-21s team with a groin setback and has been off the field for much of the past three seasons with knee problems.
Former Brumbies coach David Nucifora described Rathbone as an ''incredibly powerful individual''.
''He was one of the most dynamic athletes I've been involved with,'' Nucifora said.
''He was integral to the Brumbies winning the title in 2004.''
Rathbone and his wife Carrie will remain living in Canberra.
