Phil Waugh calls time as most capped Waratah

PHIL Waugh, the most capped player in NSW provincial rugby history, has announced his retirement.

Waugh's decision comes a week after fellow Wallaby Al Baxter announced his decision not to play on beyond this season.

There is speculation he will will take on an managerial role with NSW rugby as he pursues a business career. 

“I think at 31 years of age, the timing is right for me to make the transition into business,” Waugh said today.

“It's been my honour and my privilege to play at the Waratahs for 13 years.”

Waugh is hoping for a fairytale ending with his NSW Waratahs about to start their finals quest for a maiden Super Rugby title and the Wallabies headed to the World Cup in New Zealand in October.

While he has been overlooked by Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans in recent seasons, he still intends to push his Test claims as strongly as possible.

“I've been very humbled and very proud to have represented Australia over a decade, which has encompassed 79 Test matches, and I hope to increase on that number,” Waugh said.

“It's obviously a big year for rugby and I want to be a part of that World Cup squad.

“I'm very proud of my career and what I've achieved and, in terms of rugby memories, I hope that my fondest memories occur over the coming months.”

Waugh made his debut in 1999 and has played a record 124 matches for his state in Super Rugby.

At his best the nuggegty Waugh was regarded as one of the world's leading flankers. He was a key figure in Australia’s run to the 2003 World Cup final against England in Australia.

A product of the Shore School, he made his first Wallabies Test squad in 2000 and has gone on to earn 79 caps but has been hampered by injury for the past two seasons.

He has 124 provincial caps to his name with the Waratahs who head to Auckland today for a do-or-die elimination Super Rugby semi-final against the Blues on Friday.

The 31-year-old Waugh spend a number of seasons duelling George Smith for the Test blindside flanker position.

 

Smith retired from Test football last season with Western Force dynamo David Pocock now preferred in the position with the Wallabies.

Waugh's decision to quit all representative football re-opens the door for the Waratahs to again try and tempt Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom away from the ACT Brumbies.

In addition to losing Baxter and now Waugh to retirement, the Waratahs need to fill the gaps left vacant by Kurtley Beale's decision to join the Melbourne Rebels next year and Luke Burgess' move overseas.

On the plus side Wallaby outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper will play his Super Rugby out of Sydney next season after eight seasons with the Brumbies.