Former Wallaby Drew Mitchell confirms his retirement is coming to an end
Drew Mitchell remembers clearly the moment he decided to hang up his boots.
It was 2017, the Top 14 regular season was wrapping up and the former Wallabies winger had battled through a season marred by injuries – but that wasn’t a major factor in his decision.
“Yes, I’d been going through a couple of injuries and things but it wasn’t so much that,” Mitchell said to RugbyPass about the future-altering call.
“I just remember sitting in a team meeting with Toulon and thinking to myself ‘I would prefer to be anywhere than where I am right now.’
“I walked out of that team meeting and I didn’t speak to my parents, my manager, my coach, the owner or anyone – just because I knew that there would be an opportunity for them to talk me out of it and I just wanted to try stick to my instincts. I drafted up a Tweet and then pressed fire.”
So it's my turn to call time on my rugby career!
I've been very lucky to have had the experiences I've had in our great game.Thank you
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 17, 2017
The brief Tweet drew responses from many of Mitchell’s current and former teammates and opposition, from the likes of David Pocock to Piri Weepu.
“I really enjoyed the last three months after that – until we lost the final – and I was really happy with that decision, to be honest.”
As reported by RugbyPass in January, however, Mitchell’s retirement is now coming to an end with the Queenslander set to add a new chapter to his career.
Rugby United New York, home to former internationals Ben Foden and Mathieu Bastareaud, have managed to lure Mitchell to America for a shot at one of the game’s newest professional competitions, Major League Rugby.
It wasn’t an opportunity that Mitchell actively sought out – Jamie Kennedy, the owner of RUNY, reached out to Mitchell to gauge his interest and Mitchell found himself struggling to get the idea of a stint in the States out of his mind.
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“I tried not to look too far ahead or get my hopes up because, as is often the case with things in rugby, it doesn’t always turn out the way that you hope,” said Mitchell. “I tried to keep a bit of a lid on things but then I sat down with the coach and the owner and it started to gain a little bit of momentum.”
The proposition came at a fairly fortuitous time for Mitchell, who had picked up a number of rugby-related jobs in the three years since he called time on his playing career.
“I was really happy with the commentary work I was doing with Fox Sports and I had some other gigs on the side as well which were keeping me pretty busy and stimulated from a mental point of view.
It hasn't taken the ex-Wallaby long to secure alternative employment following last week's TV setback, and other star names could follow him to America in 2021 https://t.co/p5YF4odhqV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 28, 2020
Unfortunately, Mitchell found himself of the wrong side of some fat-trimming with Fox which saw the 35-year-old out of full-time work as of January. Thankfully, Mitchell had been in ongoing talks with RUNY since November.
“I really enjoyed my time doing commentary, I enjoyed the team I worked with, but that’s just what happens sometimes,” said Mitchell. “It’s just like footy, you get dropped sometimes and you’ve just got to cop it and find a new opportunity.”
That new opportunity will now see Mitchell lining up against the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Digby Ioane and Tendai Mtawarira.
“At first it was the lure of living in New York and playing in a new competition which I think has a great amount of potential that I was really excited about, but also there’s a good opportunity for me to give back a little bit,” said Mitchell of his upcoming sojourn.
"Your Fodens and all these other players…They kind of disappear into the background whereas this guy absolutely does not.”
– @rugbyunitedny founder talks about the impact of @BastaOfficiel with @heagneyl #FRAvENG #MLRugby ???? https://t.co/asNSLRjYI3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 2, 2020
“I know some people might think I should be [giving back] in Australia but I think you need to give back to the game – the game needs to grow globally and I think the United States is a market that has huge potential.
“If my being there can help some of the less experienced players and improve the way they see the game and approach the game then I think it’s a great opportunity.”
Over a decade of involvement with the likes of the Reds, Western Force, Waratahs, Toulon and Wallabies should make a still-developing competition like MLR a relative walk in the park for someone like Mitchell, but the outside back isn’t quite as physically resilient as he once.
“I had a really open dialogue with Jamie Kennedy and the guys who own Rugby United,” Mitchell said.
“We both know my situation in terms of being out of it for a while but, at the same time, I’m pretty competitive – hence the reason I’ve been putting myself in a hole most days of the week to try get back to some type of fitness before I join the boys.”
“I was never the leanest winger in my career so I need to make sure I turn up in some type of shape!”
Mitchell expects to continue to line up on the wing, where he played the majority of his 71 Tests for Australia.
SANZAAR has relocated two @SuperRugby matches that were due to be played in Japan to minimise the risks associated with the coronavirus. #SuperRugby https://t.co/orjf9NrMs8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 27, 2020
Mathieu Bastareaud, Mitchell’s former teammate at Toulon and future teammate with Rugby United, has made the shift from the midfield to the back of the scrum in recent times but Mitchell isn’t gunning to make a similar move to the pack.
“I don’t know if I’ve hit a ruck in my career so I don’t know if that’s something the team will want me to do!”
Regardless of where he plays, isn’t counting on a surprise recall to the Wallabies where new coach Dave Rennie will have plenty of young talent at his disposal.
“There’ll be no more gold jersey for me,” confirmed Mitchell, “but I’ll be supporting the boys, that’s for sure.”
Mitchell was called up to the Wallabies for a brief second stint with the Australian national side for the 2015 World Cup after a year-long absence due to the nation’s eligibility laws.
Those laws were changed ahead of the World Cup to allow the likes of Mitchell and Matt Giteau to join the side with the new 60-cap requirement dubbed the ‘Giteau Law’.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_KfLlAgx5/
As Mitchell has pointed out, however, had Rugby Australia solely wanted to allow Giteau to link up with the squad then a 90-cap law would have been more appropriate – one cap fewer than what the flyhalf stood on at the time.
“It’s a little bit more glamourous if you call it the Giteau Law because he’s had a pretty decorated career. I’ll let him take this one but I think we all know deep down it’s the Mitchell law,” said Mitchell in jest.
“I was on 63 caps and they made it a 60-cap law.”
And how long should we expect to see Mitchell running out in the blue and orange of Rugby United New York?
“It’ll probably be about 18 months – fitting two seasons in. I think both parties are completely aware of the fact that I’ll probably play my first game of MLR at 36. We’ve been realistic with one another and we’ll see how I go – how the body’s holding up – and if I’m actually adding value and then we’ll make a call from there.”
Now, Mitchell is just playing the waiting game; once his visa clears, he’ll be on the first flight over to New York.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9FkYuUAKNp/
“Now that I’ve 100% committed to playing and they’re three weeks into the competition already, I’m chomping at the bit to get over there and just get around the team.”
Rugby United New York are currently sitting in fourth place in Major League Rugby’s Eastern Conference after making the semi-finals in 2019.
The team have a smattering of elder statesmen in the form of Bastareaud, former English representative Ben Foden and USA halfback Mike Petri but Mitchell’s considerable experience at all levels of the game will no doubt be a huge boon for the up-and-coming rugby side.
“The game’s given me so much and your lasting memories are often your most recent,” Mitchell said. “If mine were ones where I was just doing it for a pay packet or something like that then I’d probably leave the game with not the fondest of memories.
“I never thought I would be the type that would come back and play again but the lure of New York and the opportunity to play in a new competition was enough.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments