Wallabies legend calls time on 22-year career

Wallabies legend Matt Giteau has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 40.

The playmaker enjoyed a remarkable 22-year career, or as he put it, ”half my life spent playing this great game professionally and travelling the world getting to do it.”

Giteau kicked off his career as a baby-faced Brumbies star in 2001 and played the first of his 103 Tests the following year.

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He was a World Rugby player of the year finalist in 2004 and the Canberra product also played club rugby for the Western Force, Toulon, Suntory Sungoliath and, most recently, the LA Giltinis.

“Forever grateful to all my many coaches, staff members, referees and touch judges along the way,” Giteau wrote on Twitter.

“And of course a big thank you to my many teammates that helped me play and grow as a player and a person. So many great friendships made and some unbelievable memories created along the way.”

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Giteau also paid tribute to the sacrifice of his family before signing off with a joke.

“It’s been such an amazing experience and one that I will miss but I have milked this game and the contracts dry.”

Giteau’s close friend and long-time teammate, Drew Mitchell, chimed in with a cheeky suggestion that he could rejoin the Wallabies as Eddie Jones’ new attack coach.

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