Wallaby Flanker George Smith Signs With Toulon
Toulon may be facing the prospect of losing star Kiwi centre Sonny Bill Williams to his All Black ambitions, but have continued their restocking of talent for the 2010-11 season, signing Wallaby test centurion George Smith.
Smith agreed to a one-year deal to join the French club where he will team up with former All Black prop Carl Hayman, but possibly not Williams if he accepts the New Zealand Rugby Union’s offer that is in front of him.
The 29-year-old Brumbies loose forward has 110 test caps for Australia, but has now retired from the international game. He has signed a one-year deal to join Toulon as they continue their quest to be the top club in France.
Smith will team up with Springbok flanker Joe van Niekerk and Pumas No 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe in what should be an outstanding loose trio at the club.
Toulon reached the semifinals of the Top 14 before going down in extra time to Vern Cotter’s Clermont. They also made the final of the European Challenge Cup before going down to Cardiff Blues.
Smith made more than 120 appearances for the Brumbies and ended his international career as the world’s fifth most capped test player, as well as being the world’s most capped loose forward and Australia’s most capped forward.
With thanks to Stuff.co.nz
George Smith Retires From Test Rugby
Australia’s most capped Test forward George Smith says he’s retiring from international rugby to spend more time with his family.
The flanker, who represented the Wallabies 110 times at Test level, announced on Friday he was drawing the curtain on one of Australian rugby’s most successful careers.
The 29-year-old will now play out this year’s Super 14 competition with the Brumbies before seeking a lucrative deal overseas, where he says he and his family can spend some “quality time” together experiencing a new culture.
The two-time John Eales Medallist, the most capped openside forward in Test history, said he’d been contemplating stepping away from the game even before signing a three-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) last year.
“The decision to retire from Test rugby has been a very difficult one for me and one that I’ve made after much consideration and soul-searching over months,” Smith said.
“Although I believe I could play competitive rugby at the highest level for many years to come, in recent times I believe the Wallabies have created the right balance between providing opportunity for young talent within Australian rugby and also having the knowledge and experience of senior players.”
Making the decision somewhat easier for Smith has been the emergence of Western Force star David Pocock in the Wallabies set-up.
Smith shared the No.7 jersey with the Zimbabwe-born 21-year-old throughout last year’s northern hemisphere tour, and he felt he left the national team with a bright future going into next year’s World Cup.
“I believe now is the time to give back to my family, to be able to spend more quality time with my wife and young children.”
A World Cup finalist with the Wallabies in 2003, Smith said he has many great memories from his international career with the 2001 series victory over the British and Irish Lions and Bledisloe Cup wins over New Zealand particular highlights.
GEORGE SMITH FACT FILE
Born: July 14, 1980
Height: 180cm
Weight: 104kg
Position: Flanker
Test debut: vs France, 2000
Test caps: 110 (45 points, 9 tries)
Super 14 debut: vs Sharks, 2000
Super 14 caps: 120 (75 pts, 15 tries)
* 2003 and 2007 Wallabies World Cup member
* Won two John Eales medals
* Won eight Brett Robinson Awards as the player’s player of the year at the Brumbies
* Is the most capped forward in Australian history and second most capped player in Wallabies history behind George Gregan (139)
* Is the most capped openside forward in the history of rugby union
* Was the youngest player to win 100 Test caps at 29 years, four days against New Zealand in Auckland in 2009
* Became Australia’s 75th Test captain by leading his country against Canada in the 2007 World Cup
* Won the 2004 Super 14 title with the Brumbies
Thanks to Stuff.co.nz
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