Wyles makes 'incredibly tough decision' to retire
At the end of the current season Saracens will say farewell to one of the club’s most capped, and most popular, players when Chris Wyles retires from rugby.
Wyles, who joined Saracens in 2008, has made 243 appearances for the club scoring 67 tries and is one of the most versatile players at Mark McCall’s disposition at Saracens, being capable of playing across the back line.
In ten years at Saracens Wyles has played a pivotal role at the club, helping the club to three Aviva Premiership titles and two European Cups. The American born back has also captained the USA for whom he made over fifty appearances and featured for his country at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
'Club legend' is a term that's perhaps cliche these days… But we are exceptionally fortunate to have a real one in @ChrisWyles #proudtobe
What a remarkable career 👏👏 with memories still to be made! pic.twitter.com/v5uPDb7xsE
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) January 24, 2018
“It’s been an incredibly tough decision to make,” reflected Wyles. “There was an opportunity to continue my time at Saracens but it feels like now is the perfect time to step away from rugby and turn my attention full time to Wolfpack Lager.
“I’d like to thank Saracens for the huge amount of support they have given me and my family throughout the years. If it weren’t for the backing of the club, Wolfpack Lager would not be in the position it is today. While it’s going to be hard moving on from rugby the support Saracens have given me means the transition will hopefully be a smooth one.
“Saracens is a special and unique club that I will undoubtedly miss” Wyles added. “An occasion like our trip to Verbier sums it all up. Time spent together skiing, enjoying the mountains and getting to really know each other led to memories that will last a lifetime. Having the opportunity to then play with such great guys and talented players week in week out has been a privilege.
“My time at Saracens would not have been the same without the fantastic support of the Sarries fans. I’m eternally grateful to them for everything they have given me over my time here and the club wouldn’t be where we are without them. I’d also like to thank those who brought me to Saracens, my teammates and the coaching staff – particularly Mark McCall and Nigel Wray.”
Captain Brad Barritt paid tribute to the retiring Wyles saying: “Chris has made a profound impact at Saracens over ten years not only as the courageous, skilled and never-say-die player he is, but as a man who has positively shaped the culture at Saracens through his actions on and off the field.
“It’s been a privilege to share the memories with Chris, he is universally liked and admired and is someone who without doubt will be remembered by all for what he gave to Saracens.”
Mark McCall also added his praise for the winger saying: “Chris has been an integral part of the squad for many years here at Saracens. He is a true club legend and has made a magnificent contribution to the club over his years of service. His influence, on and off the field, has been outstanding and we look forward to his continued contribution to the squad for the rest of the season ahead of his retirement.”
Chris will be having a testimonial this Season to celebrate his ten years at the club. Details of the event and how you can support will be released shortly.
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments