David Wallace to retire

Fishooks12 · 03-05-2012 12:14pm #1

We had a retirement thread for Fla so I think Wally deserves one too

Just been announced officially on twitter by Munster there

Fantastic player for Munster and Ireland during his career.

Played some of the best rugby of his career before injury prevented him from travelling to the world cup and sadly hasn't looked the same ever since

Wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do next

mikedragon32 · 03-05-2012 12:18pm

I was gutted for him when he was injured in the England game pre-RWC.

Fantastic player, loved watching him play for Ireland and dreaded seeing him on teamsheets for games against Leinster.

Best of luck in the future.

MugMugs · 03-05-2012 12:18pm

Great player. Sad to see these legends slowly fading away.

thomond2006 · 03-05-2012 12:21pm

One of my favourite players in a red jersey, it's a shame how his career ended. He deserved to have a great Ireland swansong at the World Cup.

The guy was a freakish athlete who despite many serious injuries was a top player. Keith Wood has said numerous times that Wally was a physical freak.

Best of luck to him in the future, that's the legendary trio of Quinny, Wally and Axel all gone now.

It doesn't look likely but it would be great if he was fit enough to make the bench this weekend, to give him a proper Thomond sendoff like John Hayes.

MugMugs · 03-05-2012 12:23pm

I take it that it is true he was having trouble with his knee so ?

.ak · 03-05-2012 12:27pm

Gutted to see any player have to retire due to injury. Wally was playing some of the best rugby of his career in 2011, its such a shame he couldn't come back successfully. I remember in an Area 22 interview he corrected the interviewer at the time by saying it was 'not a career ending injury'. You could see how much he meant that at the time... such a pity it ended up being true.

its_phil · 03-05-2012 12:27pm

That's the saddest of the lot who have had to retired. So sad to see a player as good as Wallace go. Hopefully he goes into coaching, because he was one of the smartest operators Ireland have had in their backrow.

All the best to him.

.ak · 03-05-2012 12:31pm

Possibly the most mobile flanker in Ireland?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFwX4fCnCOg

durkadurka · 03-05-2012 12:32pm

Great player, sad end to his career

I am pie · 03-05-2012 12:34pm

A real Irish legend. If we had a rugby hall of fame he would waltz straight in there....well, he'd run straight through the front door with a few opposing back rowers trailing in his wake.

fitz · 03-05-2012 12:37pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

One of my favourite players in a red jersey, it's a shame how his career ended.

One of my favourite players in ANY jersey.
An incredible player for Munster and Ireland, and if any is worthy of the label, it's him:

LIGIND.

Like Shaggy, sorry to see him retire like this, hope he gets a chance to run out at least once more at Thomond.

thomond2006 · 03-05-2012 12:42pm

David Wallace today became the fourth Munster player this season to announce his retirement from rugby.

On-going medical issues, as a result of a knee injury sustained in the pre world cup against England, means Wallace has not been able to fully recuperate and regrettably has had to make the decision to retire.
The 35 year old wing-forward won the last of his 203 Munster caps in the Heineken Cup quarter final against Ulster last month. He won the first of those caps in the Interprovincial Championship game against Connacht in August 1997 at the Sportsground in Galway and quickly established himself in the first team.

He made his European debut in September 1998, played in all nine Munster games in the run to the 2000 final where he scored the only try of the game, won a runner-up medal in 2002 and winners medals in 2006 and 2008. He won his 200th cap in the Magners Grand Final last year the last of his 86 Heineken Cup caps in that game against Ulster.

He was also named in the ERC European Dream Team - (Best XV of European club competitions covering 1995 - 2010) along with Ronan O'Gara and Anthony Foley, won a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009 and as a British & Irish Lion (2001 & 2009) became the first set of three brothers to play for the famous touring side.

Comment: "Although it's disappointing that injury is forcing me to retire now, I take great comfort that I've had an unbelieveably enjoyable career and I feel very lucky to have been involved in an era that has seen Munster and Ireland enjoy so much success".

"Professional rugby has exploded in popularity and changed beyond all recognition in this country since I began and I feel honored to have played witness to it's massive improvement..

I'd like to thank anyone who has helped me and had faith in me during my 15 year professional career including family, teammates, coaches, medics, friends and not least supporters.

I will be looking to step away from rugby and explore a few different business opportunities while also looking forward to being able to spend more time with my wife Aileen and sons Andrew and Harvey."

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10449.php

yimrsg · 03-05-2012 12:44pm

Gutted for him. Even towards the end of his career he was a great player. In his prime he was phenomenal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOoR2tIp-U

A-Train · 03-05-2012 12:53pm

Very sorry to hear this news, great player. I wish him all the best for the future.

d-gal · 03-05-2012 1:18pm

One of my fav players (along with Fla) in an Irish rugby. So mobile and so physical and a massive loss for Munster and even Ireland. It might be Ireland's best position at the moment but a fit Wallace was always going to be in the 22.
All the best to him and hopefully his 2 sons have the same abilities as him

budhabob · 03-05-2012 1:32pm

I'm absolutely gutted to hear this. A true legend.

bamboozle · 03-05-2012 1:36pm

great player, unbelievable skill set and unnatural power.

Spudmonkey · 03-05-2012 1:55pm

My favourite Munster player, always was. Its a pity injury forced him out without a final big game.

totallegend · 03-05-2012 2:18pm

Spudmonkey wrote: »

Its a pity injury forced him out without a final big game.

Yeah, definitely, same for Horgan; it's one thing to be paraded in front of the fans in your suit, but it would be a whole lot better dying with your boots on, so to speak.

twinytwo · 03-05-2012 2:32pm

i believe it was kidney that said, that wallace was the ony player he had ever seen who got fitter and stronger as he got older.

Fireball07 · 03-05-2012 2:45pm

My favourite rugby player ever, by a distance. An absolute legend, a phenomenally skilful player. He was still going as strong as ever pre-injury, and it's absolutely sickening that his career had to end like that.

We'll miss him... it definitely won't be the same without him around. He's been a fixture in the Munster team for the majority of the time that I've watched them.

One of the best try-scoring back-rows that we've ever had. Came up with some very important scores too, try in the HC final in 2000, that try against Sale, and plenty for Ireland as well.

Gutted to see him retire, I wish him all the best.

TomsOnTheRoof · 03-05-2012 2:48pm

Jesus, this is one of the saddest days I've had following rugby, not even the news about Penney could counter this. A true legend of Munster and Irish rugby if ever there was one. Without a doubt my favourite ever player. Met the man twice and a sounder fella you couldn't ask for. What a dark bloody day. Hope to christ he gets a swansong.

padser · 03-05-2012 2:49pm

I am pie wrote: »

A real Irish legend. If we had a rugby hall of fame he would waltz straight in there....well, he'd run straight through the front door with a few opposing back rowers trailing in his wake.

Yeah - if only we had a rugby hall of fame.....http://www.irupa.ie/halloffame.php

Great player - not absolutely world class like BOD / POC / Wood but very very close. Probably not well served by playing 7 for Ireland for so many years, he often struck me as the best 8 Ireland never had.

Very sorry that he didn't get the send off in the WC that he deserved and hope that his injury doesn't prevent him from leading a healthy retirement.

shuffol · 03-05-2012 2:57pm

Sad to see him retire but at the same time wouldnt have liked to see him come back not the same player, Peoples only memories will be of him at his best, heroic player and a winner all through his career. Biggest regret for me is not seeing him lineout in the same backrow as Ferris and SOB. Have we ever produced 3 finer athletes with skills to match.

twinytwo · 03-05-2012 3:06pm

shuffol wrote: »

Sad to see him retire but at the same time wouldnt have liked to see him come back not the same player, Peoples only memories will be of him at his best, heroic player and a winner all through his career. Biggest regret for me is not seeing him lineout in the same backrow as Ferris and SOB. Have we ever produced 3 finer athletes with skills to match.

Wallace at 7 with SOB at 8 would have been quite something

razorblunt · 03-05-2012 3:30pm

twinytwo wrote: »

Wallace at 7 with SOB at 8 would have been quite something

Could have rivalled the Dallaglio - Back - Hill, impact wise.

Legend of the game. He just seemed to be getting better and better.

Welcome to the gammy knee brotherhood Wally!

Foxtrol · 03-05-2012 3:37pm

twinytwo wrote: »

Wallace at 7 with SOB at 8 would have been quite something

Probably would be even less balanced than the current Irish one but would at minimum scare the bejesus out of the opposing outhalf anyway.

*presuming you had Ferris at 6 as well

phog · 03-05-2012 3:45pm

So disappointed for him to end his career in this manner, he was always on my team sheet, strangely in a way as I always wanted Martyn Williams on my team too and both played 7 but in a very different style.

On the field of play he certainly never left anything behind him and was so unlucky to miss 2 world cups due to serious injury, both sustained in pre w/cup warm games.

Best of Luck Wally.

JP Liz V1 · 03-05-2012 3:59pm

Legend wish him all the best

Anatidaephobia · 03-05-2012 5:00pm

Out of all the Munster retirements in the year this saddens me the most. He was an unbelievable player, and he really was improving with age. I hope he does well for himself in life after rugby.

Yamanoto · 03-05-2012 5:46pm

I don't share the same sense of wistfulness as some have expressed, but completely understand it. The guy had a magical mix of power, pace, great hands and the x factor - a real intuitive feel for the game.

I'd imagine Wallace's career was hugely fulfilling for him personally and he's the kinda man who'll adapt and thrive in life after Rugby.

Some player.

blackhound · 03-05-2012 5:56pm

I was already having a bad day, gutted to come on here and hear about this. What an absolute legend of the game and such a shame to see another player forced into retirement through injury. Wish him all the best with whatever he does after rugby.

Dempsey · 03-05-2012 6:04pm

twinytwo wrote: »

i believe it was kidney that said, that wallace was the ony player he had ever seen who got fitter and stronger as he got older.

It was true though!

I wish him the best in whatever he does next, incredible player for Munster & Ireland

Benny Cake · 03-05-2012 6:07pm

I was genuinely upset when this news broke today. I suppose we all knew it was on the cards but it doesn't make it easier to take... My interest in playing/watching rugby coincided with the beginning of Wallaces career & he has long since been a favourite of mine. Never brash or arrogant, no controversial interviews, no bullsh*t, just 100% commitment each and every day.
Had the pleasure of a pint with him in Kilkenny recently and he is every but the gentleman you would expect.

Best of luck Wally, a true Munster & Irish legend.

Annabella1 · 03-05-2012 6:07pm

Super player...........the rest of the family weren't bad either!

danthefan · 03-05-2012 6:13pm

Fantastic player, best of luck to him in the future.

errlloyd · 03-05-2012 6:39pm

I just have memories of Wally running into what we now call "choke tackles" and literally thrashing furiously to break through, he didn't look for space, he created it. And he had the pace to use it!

Cpt_Blackbeard · 03-05-2012 7:02pm

Absolutely incredible player and its a great shame that he had a couple of seasons cut from the twilight of his career.

I won't be able to do him justice, but I will say that he has been criminally underrated during his career and it is only recently that we've realised how good a player he really is. He would have seamlessly slotted into any backrow in the world in his prime, but he was wrongly never rated as an equal to BOD/POC/ROG.

A player of his sheer power and pace doesn't come around very often, and it'll take a long time before we can replace it.

Quint2010 · 03-05-2012 7:26pm

My favourite ever Munster player. Best of luck to him.

fitz · 03-05-2012 7:42pm

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Absolutely incredible player and its a great shame that he a couple of seasons cut from the twilight of his career.

I won't be able to do him justice, but I will say that he has been criminally underrated during his career and it is only recently that we've realised how good a player he really is. He would have seamlessly slotted into any backrow in the world in his prime, but he was wrongly never rated as an equal to BOD/POC/ROG.

A player of his sheer power and pace doesn't come around very often, and it'll take a long time before we can replace it.

Some great examples there of what I love about him as a player: just when you think the tackle has stopped him, he breaks out of it, or just powers on, or finds a gap. I don't think there are many players who were ever able to make as much ground as Wally after a tackle came in. Just astonishing.

Benny Cake · 03-05-2012 7:53pm

My wife asked that I also point out that he's f*cking gorgeous.... That is all....

durkadurka · 03-05-2012 7:58pm

Benny Cake wrote: »

My wife asked that I also point out that he's f*cking gorgeous.... That is all....

That was the consensus in the office today....,

CIARAN_BOYLE · 03-05-2012 8:10pm

Annabella1 wrote: »

Super player...........the rest of the family weren't bad either!

Any other family able to claim three brothers who are internationals, I mean other the Tuilagis there can't me many more out there. Is there any kids in the Wallace family likely to run out at a professional level?

Benny Cake · 03-05-2012 8:15pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Any other family able to claim three brothers who are internationals, I mean other the Tuilagis there can't me many more out there. Is there any kids in the Wallace family likely to run out at a professional level?

All 3 played for the Lions in fact...

irishbucsfan · 03-05-2012 8:26pm

And Richard is Ireland's all time leader in tries scored!

At sevens

GerM · 03-05-2012 8:26pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Any other family able to claim three brothers who are internationals, I mean other the Tuilagis there can't me many more out there.

The Ella brothers (Gary, Glen and Mark) all played for Australia in the early 80s. Don't think any more than two of them shared the pitch at the same time but all of them were capped in the same season, I'm sure.

BBDBB · 03-05-2012 8:29pm

Ligind, hell of a player, he had pace, strength, good hands and a nice step
Didnt seem to have many off days either

Benny Cake wrote: »

My wife asked that I also point out that he's f*cking gorgeous.... That is all....

durkadurka wrote: »

That was the consensus in the office today....,

Id shag him and Im not even that way inclined

irishbucsfan · 03-05-2012 8:32pm

Of course there's the Tuilagis.

Manu, Freddy, Andy, Vavae, Henry and Alessano are all capped, just not all for the same country!

CIARAN_BOYLE · 03-05-2012 8:41pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

And Richard is Ireland's all time leader in tries scored!

At sevens

Really I thought he was only the all time leader in tries scored in the 7s RWC not overall 7s.

shuffol · 03-05-2012 9:05pm

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Absolutely incredible player and its a great shame that he had a couple of seasons cut from the twilight of his career.

I won't be able to do him justice, but I will say that he has been criminally underrated during his career and it is only recently that we've realised how good a player he really is. He would have seamlessly slotted into any backrow in the world in his prime, but he was wrongly never rated as an equal to BOD/POC/ROG.

A player of his sheer power and pace doesn't come around very often, and it'll take a long time before we can replace it.

The handoff at 1:20 is actually Buckley, it was on simon shaw against Wasps in 07, one of my favourite clips, searched for it many times but it isnt on rugbydump anymore. Favourite Wallace try is the one against Clermont at Thomond a few years back, ran into a wall of Clermont defenders 5 yards out and still made the line. Best season was 08/09 IMO, he was unstoppable.

SomeFool · 03-05-2012 9:13pm

Always think of this, and williams is no slouch!

Good luck to wally, top class in his day!

David Wallace to retire

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