The mighty ‘Waratah Warhorse’, Phil Waugh, has announced his retirement from all rugby at the end of 2011.
At a press conference today, he said that he was retiring to go into a business career but would still be available for selection in the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.
The news of his pending retirement comes on the back of Al Baxter’s similar announcement. This Friday’s Eden Park match-up with the Blues could be Waugh and Baxter’s final appearance in the sky-blue jumper.
As with the Fuse, it’s probably long odds that Waugh is in Robbie Deans’s sights for a Wallabies recall, although you know he wouldn’t let anyone down if selected.
‘I’ve been very humbled and very proud to have represented Australia over a decade, which has encompassed 79 Test matches, and I hope to increase on that number,’ Waugh said.
‘In terms of rugby memories, I hope that my fondest memories occur over the coming months.’
Waugh has dominated the leadership of Waratahs rugby for many years and is regarded as one of the toughest and most inspirational captains in the game.
There will be speculation that Waugh’s retirement might just leave the door slightly ajar for Rocky Elsom’s return. Time will tell on that one.
Waugh, now 31, came to the Waratahs from the Sydney University club. His playing career began at Shore School, where he captained the school’s team in 1997. He earned his first representative jumper with the Australian Schoolboys team of 1997, followed by the Australian Under 19s in 1998 and Under 21s from 1999 to 2000.
He made his New South Wales debut in 1999, has captained the Waratahs since 2007 and played 124 Super Rugby matches. He’s earned 79 caps for the Wallabies and he won the John Eales Medal in 2003 as Australian rugby’s best and fairest player. He was vice-captain during the 2003 RWC campaign.
In 2010 Waugh became the most-capped player in NSW rugby history when he passed Chris Whitaker’s record. He also took Whitaker’s record for most games as Waratahs captain.
Waugh’s last Test match (to date) was the Wallabies’ 22–6 win over France in Sydney in 2009. When he was not included in the 2009 end-of-year tour squad, Deans stressed it was only because of injury issues and said he thought Waugh still had a lot to offer the Wallabies.
Despite being an international quality openside, Waugh had to spend a large part of his Test career as back-up to George Smith, who was considered a more all-round package. At times, however, Smith was moved to other positions to accommodate Waugh’s good form. Lately, the rise of David Pocock as Australia’s premier No. 7 has made Waugh’s goal of a return to the green and gold look improbable.
Waugh’s retirement will mark the end of an era and he will be sadly missed by Waratah and rugby fans everywhere. A champion player and leader.
