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
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments