Sharpe: Postpones retirement... again
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Veteran Wallaby lock Nathan Sharpe agreed to postpone his retirement again after a mayday call from Robbie Deans to keep going for the four-Test tour of Europe in November.
The 34-year-old announced in February he would quit all competitive rugby at the end of July and move into the resources industry, while also working as a media commentator.
But he was enticed into staying on for the inaugural Rugby Championship over the Australian winter after injuries sidelined James Horwill and the forced retirement of Dan Vickerman.
He had an exceptional tournament, taking the captaincy when injury-hit David Pocock and then Will Genia, and agreed to remain with the squad for the Tests against England, France, Italy and Wales from November 10.
Deans said the decision to ask him to continue was logical given his experience and the fact that several senior players would not be ready to return as starters.
"You only have to look at what he has achieved with the group since he took over as captain," Deans said.
"His influence has been immense, he is arguably playing the best rugby of his career but, most importantly, he is enjoying the experience.
"Sharpey's presence and leadership has been a constant throughout the year - one of the few aspects of continuity that we've had through a season that is probably without precedent in terms of disruption."
Last weekend in Argentina, Sharpe became Australia's most capped forward, and second most capped player ever, taking the field for his 111th Test in their 25-19 win over the Pumas.
The gritty performance saw Australia finish runners-up behind the All Blacks in the four-nation tournament, which also features South Africa.
"Playing for Australia is something I have never taken for granted," said Sharpe.
"As such, to be asked to continue beyond the deadline I had set for myself was both flattering but also a request that was very difficult to turn down.
"The opportunity to lead the Wallabies again on what will be a challenging but exciting tour was too tempting. It is not easy to say no to your country."
Comments
KiwiLad says...
Georgesmith, are you the brother of Trinats2.???
Posted 19:56 14th October 2012
Ferdie says...
what chance he'll be asked to play in the Lions series?
Play a few Super games for match fitness, still a useful man to have in the squad for a tough series, a lot of leadership and experience.
Posted 16:53 13th October 2012
paulynz says...
Kiwis showing more respect to Sharpe than some of his (supposedly) own!!
Posted 08:39 13th October 2012
Ramage says...
@ Trinuts despite your accusations, whether you like it or not georgesmith, the sack everyone that plays rugby, who makes even more over the top comments than even you, is a countryman of yours. In case you dont understand what I am saying, because you are a Queenslander, it means he is Australian. Yes I know his comments are vile and all he can do is attack and denigrate some of your better players, similar to those handful of saffa posters on here, who have the name bok in theirs.
One day he will post something that is positive but I have yet to see him say anything at all positive about Australian Rugby since he started posting on this
site. All he can do is to continually slag off some of the Wallabies who have held the team together and the coach who has kept them at number 2 in world Rugby. He backed South Africa and Argentina against his own country and his mealy mouthed criticisms show he is a fifth columnist.
No Kiwi would ever back another team against the All Blacks and so therefore the thought of doing this to some other unfortunate country would not enter our heads. Your accusations about him being a Kiwi is a bit rich coming from you as I remember your own statements against your own country, so he is obviously in the same camp, known as the rogue Kiwi Quade Camp where you to put down the Wallabies. Fancy putting your own Queensland team above that of your country and its National team the Wallabies. There is a word for that and it is treason, something Im learning is quite prevalent in Australia at the moment. Surely this is, Trinuts, what is often termed as UnAustralian. Both of you need to take a leaf out of Wallaroo's book who shows himself as a true Australian.
Posted 06:27 13th October 2012
tha_mai says...
georgesmith: You are starting to sound like trinats2, give it a rest.
Posted 05:54 13th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
georgesmith:
You are starting to sound like a kiwi, give it a rest.
Posted 15:02 12th October 2012
Wallaroo says...
Good on ya Sharpie, shows great character and leadership. Sharpie is all about national pride.
Posted 12:45 12th October 2012
Ramage says...
Lol, lol, lol. I think this is hilarious and is making someone absolutely furious. go man good on you Sharpie there's life in the old dog yet. I think we can put off that Requiem Mass for a while yet. Question Is georgesmith a funeral director?
Posted 06:46 12th October 2012
oldschool says...
Onya Sharpie...and kudos to all the posters on here recognising a true servant of the game with your generous comments.
Posted 06:30 12th October 2012
georgesmith says...
What the hell is this? There are 3-4 young locks waiting like R. Simmons and others. This is a big joke and R. Deans must be sacked now. If N.Sharpe plays, then do the Wallabies have any chance of beating the ABs next month. This is based on his lackluster 2 games against them this year. This guy is out-of-form and out-of-sorts. He gives away the most penalties and is always hand on the hips. He's not Test-level material and should go back into retirement.Will this decision come back and haunt Wallabies in the next world cup. It will but not R. Deans because he won't be there then. Bad decision. Selfish motives by N. Sharpe for personal glory. Hell with the Wallabies for not giving young locks a chance. Look at M.Hooper. He needed a chance and R.Deans wouldn't give it until D. Pocock got injured.
Posted 22:09 11th October 2012
melkdave says...
Not surprised to be honest,it was always on the cards ,given the present circumsyances concerning injuries.
Posted 19:17 11th October 2012
tuffnut says...
34's not old for a second row. Brad Thorne was one of the standout locks of the rugby world cup last year nearly 37 years old so Sharpe should still have plenty left in the tank!
Well done Mr Sharpe!
Posted 18:14 11th October 2012
NHSaints says...
I'm honestly not surprised, he's been Australia's best player over the course of the year (minus Genia against Wales) and has been holding this group of young Wallabies together...I hope the honey badger gets a good run out during the autumn tour too.
Posted 16:57 11th October 2012
KevRadstock says...
Must be building for the geriatric world cup! c'mon must be some young un's available!
Posted 15:31 11th October 2012
piriaka says...
Brilliant!! This man is a great Wallaby and keeps on getting better!! Should hit his straps in a year or so!!
Posted 15:13 11th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Note Nathan Sharpe now has more caps than... George Smith. Georgesmith must be composing his congratulatory speech.
Posted 14:31 11th October 2012
passtheball says...
I am starting to wonder if "George Smith" is the alter ego of Nathan Sharpe? Certainly increased the interest level.
Posted 12:05 11th October 2012
jmanngod says...
Go on big man!!!! Don't look back yet.
Posted 12:01 11th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Good on ya Queenslander !!!
georgesmith is Sharpe !!!
Posted 11:55 11th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
@sandal, he would have to have a brain in order to bash it out bro!
thanks a lot Sharpe now we will never hear the end of it from georgesmith. nah, good on ya Sharpie!
Posted 11:00 11th October 2012