USA legend Blaine Scully announces retirement

Adam Kyriacou

USA stalwart and former Cardiff Blues and Leicester Tigers wing Blaine Scully has announced his retirement from professional rugby union.

The Eagles captain started his career in 2009 with the USA Sevens squad. Since then, he went on to play in 54 Test matches, three Rugby World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019), seven tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and 2011’s Pan American Games where he won bronze.

He also became a cult hero during his time at the Blues and hangs up his boots after a decade of playing at the highest level of the game.

The reliable Scully departed the Welsh outfit in the summer of 2019 after four seasons at Cardiff Arms Park, where he made 52 appearances.

The American back enjoyed a number of memorable moments in Cardiff Blues colours, including a dramatic late try in the Challenge Cup final victory in Bilbao in 2018 and his acrobatic score in the home derby clash against Scarlets, which was voted Try of the Season in 2016/17.

Scully, who also played for Leicester Tigers, announced his retirement in an open letter, with the news bringing tributes from all angles.

“It’s a difficult thing to say that I will no longer be a professional or international rugby player,” he said.

“What I loved so much about the game is how it challenged me in every imaginable way. Facing those challenges, not alone, but with a group; a team that you respect and trust, will be what I miss the most.

“The people have always been the best part of the journey. The opportunity to play rugby for a living and as a career was a gift.

“From Welford Road to the Cardiff Arms Park, I can honestly say that I poured everything I had into each jersey I wore, beyond proud to wear the badge for both Leicester Tigers and Cardiff Blues.

“My only goal was to be the best I could, compete with the top players in the world and positively impact the teams I was on. To the people of both clubs, you honoured and humbled me when you accepted me as your own, making my wife and I feel like we were never far from home.

“To Leicester and Cardiff – I’ve always believed that all a good man needs is a chance. Thank you for the opportunity to play professional rugby and a special mention to all of the supporters who never stopped chanting ‘USA’.”