McLinden retires from rugby

Phil Lutton | November 10, 2009


Queensland Reds fullback Mark McLinden has announced his immediate retirement from rugby.

The 30-year old has been advised that two bulging discs in his neck present a high risk of serious injury if he continues to play contact sport, so he has decided to call fulltime on his 12 year professional playing career.

"I've been told the injury will heal itself over time providing I don't receive a serious knock to that part of my body. The only way to ensure that doesn't happen is to stop playing football altogether," McLinden said after breaking the news to his Reds team-mates.

"I've been fortunate to have had a long and - in my opinion - successful career in rugby league and rugby union here in Australia and overseas; I've made a lot of friends and enjoyed myself immensely. But I'm realistic enough to know you can't play forever and I retire with no regrets.

"It's time now to move on to a new stage of my life and to do some of the things I've had in the back of my mind that I wanted to do, but haven't had the time because of football."

McLinden joined the Reds for the 2009 season on a two-year contract after a decorated seven-year career in rugby league with the Canberra Raiders, followed by four seasons playing league in the UK.

He went on to play in all but one of the Reds' 13 Super Rugby games in 2009, scoring three tries.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said the news had come as a shock to the team and to McLinden, who had impressed the new coaching staff both on and off the field.
"We certainly viewed Mark as an integral member of the team and valued his leadership qualities and work ethic. In my short period with the team he impressed me with his approach to training and his all round professionalism," McKenzie said.

"However having been through the same type of injury myself I know he's made completely the right decision.

"While this has come completely out of the blue, we do have some fullback options in the squad and the Academy and we'll be examining those first before deciding whether to look further afield.

"In the meantime, our main focus now will be on helping Mark make this adjustment in his life and giving him whatever support he needs in that."

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...615036037.html

Sorry to hear that. I thought he adapted well last year, offered a lot to the team and I was looking forward to seeing how he did with a year under his belt. Thought he might have been in the frame for an Aus A berth if they hadn't canned it, but perhaps he was lucky that they did...

thats a shame, i also thought he transitioned quite well, performed admirably and he leaves a bit of a hole in experience.

Not to sure who the starting 15 will be in 2010 now, Aidan Toua is in the academy squad, but i dont think he has had enough experience, might see Hynes move to 15.

Davies?

As a stray thought, I don't know what his kicking is like, but maybe a chance for Anthony Faingaa to reinvent himself?

I personally dont rate davies, nor do i rate Connor, not without a bit more experience at least.


I would have suggested Vaalu, but he is out injured for the early part of the season, potentially Ben Lucas?

He had a very good first year at the Reds... Its a shame not to see him in 2010... I wish him all the best...