Wilkinson announces retirement

Teferi

I think this was expected but all the same Jonny Wilkinson announces his retirement.

Fantastic servant to the game.

.ak

Teferi wrote: »

I think this was expected but all the same Jonny Wilkinson announces his retirement.

Fantastic servant to the game.

I'm surprised (not by the announcement, but the fact) that he didn't do one more year. He seems fit as a fiddle and has suffered no ill effects from the game. I think he had another year in him, and I thought Toulon might try to get him to do one more year before they go for Sexton. :P

P_1

Not surprising news but glad he managed to have his swansong after all his injury woes over the years. Hopefully he can go out with two more medals to his name.

as an aside, there's some amount of talented players hanging the boots up this season

thomond2006

I can't remember where I read it but the Lions wanted him to tour but he told them that he had to take the summer off in order to get through one more season. He was never going to play after this year.

Western Pomise

Great career which was almost wrecked by injuries so in fairness to the man I can see why he probably feels his body cannot take another season.

Larbre34

Fair play Jonny, after all the injuries he deserves to go on his own terms.

From an era when the England team produced some truly insufferable mouths, Wilkinson never went there and was an excellent professional in all respects.

Dempsey

Incredible player almost ruined by injury. No surprise that he's managed to bounce back, where most would have conceded defeat, and be ending is career on what is most likely to be a high.

Pity he stayed too long at Newcastle though.

former legend

Good man Jonny, a great player and a very nice guy from what I can gather. He'll always be remembered for his kicking but he was a brilliant all-round player and a ferocious tackler. It's great that he got to add a few more medals to his haul before his retirement.

I remember seeing this in the lead-up to the 2007 Six Nations, which was his first England cap since the 2003 World Cup final, absolutely horrific injury record.

.ak

Surely you can't attribute an appendix removal to a rugby injury! :P

Richard Hillman

They should erect a statue of him outside Twickenham. He was THAT good.

Trojan

.ak wrote: »

Surely you can't attribute an appendix removal to a rugby injury! :P

img.dailymail.co.uk

Risteard

Second highest points scorer in international rugby......despite missing 4 years of his prime through injury.

thomond2006

He is joining the management as a kicking coach / academy role. Imagine being a teenage hopeful and turning up on your first day to learn from someone like Wilkinson. Dreamland stuff!

bilston

Richard Hillman wrote: »

They should erect a statue of him outside Twickenham. He was THAT good.

Well few people warrant that kind of reward but I suppose he is one of the few who you'd consider it for. Maybe a few years down the line though.

Zzippy

Has anyone heard from Judgement Day? This is the kind of blow that could tip him over the edge....

:pac:

thomond2006

Boudjellal has asked the LNR for permission to retire the Toulon number 10 jersey!

.ak

:rolleyes: Jesus... I was very much in the 'Ah he's a big rugby fan with tonnes of money, good for him, buying his favourite team' club... but the more I hear from this guy the more he makes my skin crawl. He lives on converse headlines. His team is more circus than club.

Larbre34

thomond2006 wrote: »

Boudjellal has asked the LNR for permission to retire the Toulon number 10 jersey!

Richard Hillman

Risteard wrote: »

Second highest points scorer in international rugby......despite missing 4 years of his prime through injury.

The most drop goals as well and miles ahead of anybody still playing


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_leading_Rugby_union_drop_goal_scorers

phog

Great 10, professional to the core, thorough gentleman. Wish him well in retirement.

D Weasel

Risteard wrote: »

Second highest points scorer in international rugby......despite missing 4 years of his prime through injury.

Where's O'Gara on that list?

dregin

D Weasel wrote: »

Where's O'Gara on that list?

No. 4 http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_leading_rugby_union_test_point_scorers

Judgement Day

Zzippy wrote: »

Has anyone heard from Judgement Day? This is the kind of blow that could tip him over the edge....

:pac:

It's been such a long time coming that I've had time to get used to the idea. In all honesty I'll be happy to seem him retire in one piece - with two more medals.

The drop goal to win the RWC in 2003 used to be my favourite JW moment of magic, that is until last years' Heineken Cup semi-final when he showed the 'pretender' Owen Farrell who was still the master.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc7An7KsqqE

Zzippy

Judgement Day wrote: »

It's been such a long time coming that I've had time to get used to the idea. In all honesty I'll be happy to seem him retire in one piece - with two more medals.

The drop goal to win the RWC in 2003 used to be my favourite JW moment of magic, that is until last years' Heineken Cup semi-final when he showed the 'pretender' Owen Farrell who was still the master.

Love the pat on the back when Farrell realises his attempted block/late tackle was in vain.

irishbucsfan

Ah this is just Jonny... Where is Brett's thread?

CIARAN_BOYLE

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ah this is just Jonny... Where is Brett's thread?

I think it was locked and discussion moved to the connacht thread

vienne86

Great player and by all accounts a real gentleman. I've really admired the way he seems to have embrace life in France, learning the language etc, unlike a lot of English speakers living there. I hope he has a long, happy and healthy retirement. He has served the game of rugby well.