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Tributes paid to 'one of rugby's all-time greats'
After Wallabies legend George Smith announced his retirement from rugby, tributes have poured in on social media from around the world.
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The 38-year-old is retiring after having one of the most varied and decorated careers in recent times. He made his Test debut in 2000 and was still going strong 19 years later with the Bristol Bears this season.
However, it is not just the longevity of his career that makes him such a special player, but his expertise. In terms of the greatest flankers this century, if not in history, many would rank the 111-cap Smith up there with Richie McCaw.
Not only did he win Super Rugby twice with the Brumbies during his 12 years with them, but he was the team’s Player of the Year 10 times, as well as being Super Rugby Player of the Year on three occasions.
In recent years, he has moved from club to club across the world, including Toulon, Suntory Sungoliath, Stade Francais, Lyon, Wasps, the Reds and Bristol. However, even then, he earned the RPA’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2015 at Wasps and the Reds Player of the Year in 2017.
(Continue reading below…)
As expected, tributes have flooded in from players and pundits across the game, who would have played with or against him during his career. He has invariably been described as one of the greats of the game, as he has made an impression on all he has shared a field with. This is what has been said:
Absolute legend…? https://t.co/ckstsw1OZl
— Martyn Williams (@martynewilliams) May 21, 2019
George Smith!! The great man retires from rugby. I never thought this day would come… One of the genuine greats that I was fortunate to play with.. He’s one bloke I know will enjoy retirement #Enjoyment pic.twitter.com/r9dqz8l6yw
— Matt Giteau ?? (@giteau_rugby) May 21, 2019
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George Smith – One of Rugby’s all time greats!! Had the honour of playing my last ever professional rugby match with him for the barbarians_fc a few years back. What a week!!! Enjoy retirement pal ? https://t.co/JrC46zZW3B
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) May 21, 2019
I’ve often been asked to name the best ‘all round’ player I’ve called .. and George Smith is my No 1. He was so talented and so consistent. You always knew he would be giving 100%. All the best in retirement George.@FOXRUGBY pic.twitter.com/tlbBGjtEG7
— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) May 21, 2019
A true legend. One of the very best to have played the sport. Ever. ?????? https://t.co/VyHy7yJRkI
— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) May 21, 2019
George Smith, I touched him once. One of the greats.
— Jim Hamilton #DMWJ (@jimhamilton4) May 21, 2019
??
— Kurtley Beale (@kurtley_beale) May 21, 2019
Probably the best player I’ve ever played with. George Smith did everything & was one of those guys who was world class at all aspects of his game. Can’t imagine what a mess his body is in. Feet up lad. Privilege to play alongside you @RCTofficiel pic.twitter.com/mK1S0fVk9B
— Tom May (@TomMay1) May 21, 2019
Well the legend is finally calling it a day. What a honour to have played with and against one of the greats. (Even though he ended me in that pic ?) George you are the man. ?????? pic.twitter.com/TfB5ZL58UF
— Jordan Crane (@JordanCrane86) May 21, 2019
In Test rugby, Smith was also the youngest player to reach 100 caps in 2009, four days after turning 29. He soon retired from international rugby with 110 caps to his name, before making a comeback in 2013 against the British and Irish Lions. This also meant that he played in both the 2001 and the 2013 Lions series, and has continued playing six years after that.
After retiring at such a young age, questions will always be asked how many caps he could have won for the Wallabies, but there is still no denying the impact that he made on world rugby. He now will move on to a coaching role with his former club Suntory Sungoliath after one of rugby’s greatest careers.
WATCH: Part two of the RugbyPass Legends interview with Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell
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Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments