Wallabies star Stephen Moore to quit rugby after Scotland game

WALLABIES record-breaker Stephen Moore has cancelled plans for a final season at the Queensland Reds and will retire from all rugby at full-time in Sunday’s Test against Scotland.

Stephen Moore. Photo: Getty Images

• Investigation opened over Cheika outburst
• Rugby 08 no substitute for real thing for Kerevi

WALLABIES record-breaker Stephen Moore has cancelled plans for a final season at the Queensland Reds and will retire from all rugby at full-time in Sunday’s Test against Scotland in Edinburgh.

The veteran hooker had been mulling over the big decision for weeks before finally breaking the news to Wallabies teammates ahead of what will now be a career finale at Murrayfield.

After 15 seasons at the top level since his Super Rugby debut in 2003, Moore may just be 17 minutes of action away from hanging up his boots if his time as a replacement against England last weekend is repeated.

Stephen Moore’s longevity is unmatched at the top level of rugby.

Moore will sign off at Murrayfield having played 129 Tests and 177 Super Rugby games, a devotion to Australian rugby (306 games) that is unmatched at the top level in the professional era.

Only Nathan Sharpe (288 games-116 Tests/162 Super Rugby), George Gregan (275 games-139/136) and the still-active George Smith (268 games-111/157) come close.

It is astonishing longevity in Moore’s body-jarring position as scrum leader when there are so many former front-rowers living with shoulder joint replacements, fused vertebrae or arthritis.

“I’d started planning for life after rugby since announcing my retirement from the international game back in July and the opportunity that I was exploring materialised probably six months earlier than I had expected,” Moore said.

“So I have made the decision, in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union, to finish my rugby career now and take up a new opportunity. This also allows Brad (Thorn) and the Reds coaches to move forward with their planning for 2018 and beyond.

“Someone once said to me that ideally you want something to retire to, and not from, and I think those are really wise words.”

The three-year deal for Jordan Uelese, 20, locks the Wallabies’ brightest new hooking prospect to Australian rugby and the Melbourne Rebels until the end of 2020.

The hooking position is in good hands with Jordan Uelese.

Moore, 34, has been an ornament to the game with his high standards, dignity under stress, competitiveness and a 23-try record as a Super Rugby hooker that will take some topping.

The call is a U-turn on his July position when Moore announced his Test retirement plan but said he hoped to keep playing a part in “building success at the Reds and the development of the next generation of leaders”.

He captained the Reds five times in his 13-match return to the club this year when he was enthusiastic about the talent and effort for a far bigger 2018 after the poor four-win return this season.

Moore said last week it would be difficult to find something to replicate “the buzz and everything that goes with top rugby emotionally” but he was excited about feelers put out in the business world for a career post-rugby.

An off-field career and more time at home with wife Courtney and their three young kids in Brisbane will be the fresh future for Moore, who captained the Wallabies in 26 Tests including the march to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

At the Reds, Moore’s early departure will mean extra opportunities for young hookers Andrew Ready and Alex Mafi under new coach Brad Thorn.

As a Wallabies representative, Moore is likely to attend the World Rugby Awards in Monaco on Monday morning (AEDT) where fitting tribute will be paid by his peers to one of the game’s finest ambassadors.

Stephen Moore is ready to start his off-field career.

“The time feels right to finish my rugby career and I’m looking forward to watching the Reds develop under Brad’s guidance,” Moore said.

“He has shown over many years that he knows what it takes to be the best in the world.

“I have also been very grateful to have worked alongside Michael Cheika and proud of how Michael Hooper has embraced his role as Wallaby captain and everything that goes with that.

“I couldn’t have done it without all of my teammates, coaches and staff across the years at both Super Rugby and international level though, so I want to thank each of them.

“I have been very fortunate to have played with and against some of the world’s great players over my career at the Reds, Brumbies and Wallabies.

“I would also like to thank all of the fans that have supported both myself and the team over the years. Many of you I have never met, but you are the reason why playing for your state and country is so special.”