With the aftermath of the most exhilarating Rugby World Cup of all time and the close of the year 2011, ThePapare.com looks at the game changing players who have after years of enthralling throngs of fans around the world, opted to hang up their boots. Many of these players have been a part of very successful sides and have served their countries to their fullest.
The list of players include some former and current World Cup champions like Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody, Steve Thompson, Victor Matfield, John Smit, Brad Thorne and Mills Muliaina. In addition to this list, many others who featured in the World Cup have decided to call it quits. The most high profile player who announced his retirement is the English number 10 Jonny Wilkinson. Wilkinson will forever be remembered as the man who kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory in Australia in 2003 – slotting-in a dramatic last gasp drop goal in extra-time to edge out the hosts in a thrilling and unthinkable tournament finale. The 2003 IRB Player of the year and BBC Sports Personality of the year, undoubtedly belonged to him for his excellent performances and hard work. Wilkinson has been one of the most respected players of his era, earning 91 England caps and six British and Irish Lions caps. Despite terrible luck with his injuries Jonny stands as the second highest all-time points scorer in the world having had a head to head battle for the top spot with New Zealand’s iconic Dan Carter.
Joining Wilkinson in retirement will be his fellow 2003 World champions Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson. Moody played as one of the dynamic third row forwards in that legendary squad, having played 74 international games of which 3 were in the red of the British and Irish Lions. Thompson was a pillar of strength playing at hooker for the English in 73 grueling tests and 3 tests for the Lions. Thompson like Wilkinson and Moody played in 3 Rugby World Cups and played in two remarkable RWC finals.
Victor Matfield who is one of the greatest second-row forwards to have ever played the game also announced his retirement after the RWC 2011. Matfield featured in 110 caps for the Springboks which spanned for an entire decade. Matfield achieved another career milestone in 2007 when he became the 52nd Springbok captain – leading the team against the All Blacks in their Tri-Nations clash Durban. He would go on to be a cornerstone of South Africa’s success at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was many people’s player of the tournament. He featured in all seven games and was named Man of the Match following an outstanding performance in the Springboks’ 15-6 final victory over England.
In July 2011 John Smit also announced the World Cup would be his last appearance in a Springbok shirt. Despite criticism over his level of performance in a Boks jersey, Smit lead the reigning champions into the 2011 showpiece. Smit began his career in the year 2000 having earned 111 caps for the South Africans.
Brad Thorne was another one of the illustrious world cup winners to call it quits after his country hosted the World Cup. Thorne was a vital player in the All Blacks outfit showing superior fitness in the lock position. Thorn holds the distinction of having represented Australia at rugby league and New Zealand at rugby union. In 2001, he switched codes and moved back across the Tasman Sea to join the Crusaders in the Super 12 and Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, he eventually made his All Blacks bow against Wales in 2003 and would go on to gain selection for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Also retiring from the recently crowned All Black side is full-back Mills Muliaina. Muliaina played a total of 100 tests for New Zealand, becoming only the second player to do so after his skipper Ritchie McCaw. Blessed with pace, great awareness and a highly-prized ability to spark a counter-attack, he has been the last line of defense for the backs since 2003. He was unfortunately injured in the RWC 2011 quarter-final which was his 100th game where after he announced he will be bowing out of International Rugby.
Probably the most talked of Welsh player in history the little dynamo Shane Williams also announced his retirement after playing the friendly encounter against the travelling Wallabies. Williams played international rugby for 11 years having donned the Welsh jersey 87 times and the prestigious Lions Jersey a further 4 times which gives him a total of 91 caps. Williams scored a total of 60 international tries in his 91 tests making him one the In November 2008 Williams was named the IRB Player of the Year. He made his final Test appearance in the RWC bronze final re-match against the Wallabies in Cardiff at the end of last year, capping an outstanding international career with a try in the last act of the game.
Chris Patterson was the latest player to announce retirement just before Christmas this year. Patterson played in the vital role of Full back for Scotland. He was the most capped and highest point’s scorer for the Scots at the point of retirement. A veteran of four Rugby World Cups in his 12-year international career, the 33-year-old broke nearly every record in Scottish history books with his trusty boot. In November Scotland’s Nathan Hines announced that, it was time to retire from Test rugby after 11 years. The second row played 77 games for the Scots having started 51 of those games. Hines enjoyed a long career of 11years having debuted in 2000 against the All Blacks in Auckland.
