NSW Waratahs and Wallabies hooker David Porecki has announced his retirement from professional Rugby.
Porecki most recently pulled on the gold jersey during the British & Irish Lions Series, starting in the second Test at the MCG.
The 32-year-old battled his way to the gold jersey after five seasons in the UK with Saracens and London Irish, playing 21 Tests.
He would return to Australian Rugby with the NSW Waratahs in 2021, impressing enough to earn a Test debut against England in Perth a year later.
Porecki was named in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain after injury to Will Skelton, leading the side in three of their four pool matches at the tournament.
However, injury has hampered his career, limiting his appearances in the past couple of years.
He would be ruled out of the 2024 season before coming back to the international stage against Fiji last month.
Porecki was set to start in the final Lions Test before a cut to his heel at training made him a late withdrawal.
“To wear the Wallaby gold and Waratahs blue was a dream of mine as a boy growing up in Manly and to be able to say I did both is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long, but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter.
“There’s a lot of people who have supported me in my journey, and to them I’ll be forever grateful. I’m especially looking forward to spending more time with my wife Shani and kids Luca, Charlie and Billie.
“I look forward to continuing to support the game away from the field in this next stage of my life.”
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and Waratahs coach Dan McKellar lead the tributes for the ulitmate team man,
“Porky is the ultimate professional and quiet achiever. He doesn’t say a lot, preferring to get on with the job and to lead by example, and he’s done that really well for the time that I’ve known him," Schmidt said.
“On behalf of everyone within the team we wish him and his family all the best in this next stage of their lives.”
"It’s a sad day when any when any player retires. I have worked closely with ‘Porky’ for a number of years and have huge respect for him, with what he brings on field with his qualities at set piece, physicality, and toughness," McKellar added.
“He's never been the biggest hooker going around. He's always played well above his weight.
“Off field, he's a true family man and genuinely good bloke. He'll be sadly missed throughout the walls of the Waratahs.
“But like all Waratahs players, he'll always be welcome in this building and then within this group. But I fully understand and respect his decision.
“With any footballer, a time comes where it's ‘I'm ready to move on to the next chapter.’ David is obviously comfortable with that and ready to take that next step in life. We just wish him all the best.”
