Brumbies and Wallabies legend George Smith finally calls time on his stellar career

George Smith, who announced his retirement at 38 and after 450 top-tier games for clubs and country, was so good in his prime that the Springboks put a bounty on his head or rather his dreadlocks.

A young George Smith playing for the Brumbies.

So good was George Smith in his prime as one of the world’s great flankers that the Springboks put a bounty on his head or rather his dreadlocks.

The best images of Smith bouncing out of tackles, making them, masterfully thieving ball at rucks and his handling touches were always best captured under a mass of wild hair.

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Somehow, those dreadlocks flying every which way summed up his essence as an openside flanker whirling into every contest he could find on the field.

Smith only wore those dreadlocks until a savage cut for charity in 2006 which also tells you about his incredible durability through two decades of body shots at the breakdown.

As was once said about cricket great Allan Border, he was in the twilight of his career for longer than most are lucky to have careers.

When he announced his retirement on Tuesday, there were fresh gasps of awe that he really had reached 38 and more than 450 top-tier games for clubs and country.

His playing career may have ended at England’s Bristol Bears, his eighth club, but he’s already got the next step mapped out as defence coach for Suntory in Japan.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to play professionally for the past 20 years,” Smith said in a statement.

“Rugby has given me so much. The dreams that I had as a young bloke, I’m fortunate to say that I’ve lived them and experienced so much more during my time.”

A dread-locked George Smith in action for the Wallabies against South Africa.

Smith joked that he was surprised that Brumbies coach Eddie Jones even offered him a contract at 19 in 1999.

“The day I rocked up to sign my first Brumbies contract with dreadlocked hair, board shorts and thongs, I think back and shake my head as to why he didn’t just turn me away right there and then,” Smith said.

By 2006, Smith was so influential for the Wallabies that the Springboks offered 100 rand to any player who could wrench a dreadlock and bring it back to the dressing room at Suncorp Stadium as a trophy.

Centre De Wet Barry did just that.

With his haircut, Smith never lost his power like Samson but kept powering on to 111 Tests.

George Smith has retired at 38 and after more than 450 top-tier games. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The act by Barry was an odd show of respect but more overt was the 2017 example when the evergreen Smith was playing for the Reds against a young Southern Kings forward in Brisbane.

On the run, South African Irne Herbst blurted: “I used to have a poster of you on my wall.”

That aura never dimmed because it would be hard to find an Australian rugby fan who did not number George Smith among their favourite players.

Former Brumbies and Wallabies lock Justin Harrison said his former teammate inspired a generation of fans.

“I, like many, had the great privilege of playing alongside George and I know every time you played with him you knew you were playing alongside one of our greatest players and hair styles,” the Classic Wallabies general manager said in a statement.

“We are richer for having had the opportunity to witness George playing in a gold Wallaby jersey.

“We now welcome George to the Classic Wallabies and we ask that he keeps one pair of boots for his first Classics capped match.”

* The Reds have added former Australian Sevens outside back Liam McNamara, from the Sunnybank club, as short-term injury cover for their squad.

Forwards Caleb Timu and JP Smith, both concussion, will miss Friday night’s clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton as will centre Samu Kerevi, who will be rested under the Wallabies’ workload management plan.

GEORGE SMITH

Age: 38

Wallabies: 111 Tests (9 tries)

Super Rugby: 164 games (20 tries) — Brumbies 142, Reds 22

Overseas clubs: Toulon (France), Suntory (Japan), Stade Francais (France), Lyon (France), Wasps (England), Bristol (England)

John Eales Medals: 2002, 2008