By Nick Mulvenney
SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) – Experienced Australia lock
Nathan Sharpe has agreed to delay his retirement until after the
inaugural Rugby Championship later this year, coach Robbie Deans
said on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old, who won his 100th cap at the 2011 World
Cup, has played in all three of Australia’s tests this year and
was named in the starting line-up for Saturday’s third and final
test against Wales.
Sharpe said in February he would be retiring at the end of
his 15th Super Rugby season in August but has had a change of
heart and will play on in the replacement for the Tri-Nations,
which will also feature Argentina.
“Sharpey’s indicated that he’s willing and keen to play on
into the Rugby Championship so that’s good news for the group,”
Deans told reporters.
“He’s vastly experienced, he’s been in this arena for a long
time
“It is a big decision for Sharpey, he’d made plans around
his life beyond the game and he’s had to put them on hold.
That’s a significant commitment from him. I don’t think it’s an
indefinite deferment, though.”
Sharpe made his international debut against France in 2002
and has played 104 times for his country, including in the 2003
World Cup final loss to England. He captained the Wallabies
twice.
Australia are likely to be without one of their second row
options, captain James Horwill, for the rest of the season
because of a hamstring injury and, Sharpe apart, their stocks of
experienced locks are low.
Continued…
