David Pocock announces retirement from Test rugby

Wallabies back row star David Pocock will retire from Test rugby after the upcoming World Cup. The 31-year-old debuted for Australia against the All Blacks in 2008 and has been an integral member of the Wallabies over the past decade.

However, he announced at a press conference in Sydney on Friday that his international career will come to an end this year. “I feel like it’s time for me to move onto other things and contribute in other areas,” he said.

“As an immigrant, rugby has provided me with somewhere to make friends, to feel like I belong and obviously huge opportunities to play professional rugby at the Force, Brumbies and Wallabies.

“On a personal note, you reflect on the time you’ve had in a Wallabies jersey, what you’ve tried to add, the legacy you hope you’ll leave and then just the opportunity to play in front of family and friends one last time.

“That’s all great but it comes down to the team effort really. That’s been the focus for the guys, we know if we don’t have a good team performance it won’t be as special.”

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Earlier this year, Pocock confirmed his retirement from Super Rugby as he will rejoin the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japanese Top League following the World Cup.

Despite not having played since March due to an ongoing calf injury, Pocock will captain the Wallabies in their final World Cup warm-up match against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday in what will be his final Test on home soil.

The Wallabies will then travel to Japan to kick-off their World Cup campaign, which begins on September 22 against Fiji in Sapporo.

His first appearence since March of this year ?? #Wallabies #ReturnOfTheKing @pocockdavid pic.twitter.com/KWPUTLnZ9Z

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 5, 2019

It’s there where Pocock hopes to make the most of his last tournament in the green and gold of Australia. “I’m not done just yet, there will be plenty of time to reflect on it,” he said. “I am very much wanting to get back out there and get back to my best rugby and contribute over the next couple of months.”

WATCH: The RugbyPass stadium guide to Sapporo where Australia will begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji