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Drew Mitchell shocks rugby world, announces retirement via social media
AUSTRALIAN rugby great Drew Mitchell has called time on a glittering rugby career, announcing his retirement via social media on Monday night.
The veteran winger, who has been somewhat hampered by injuries in recent years, is set to hang up his boots at the end of French Top 14 season.
“So it’s my turn to call time on my rugby career!” Mitchell said via Twitter.
“I’ve been very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had in our great game.
“Thank you.”
Mitchell, Australia’s highest try-scorer at the World Cup with 15 tries across three events, played for the Reds, Force and Waratahs during his time in the Super Rugby competition.
After leaving the Waratahs, he joined French powerhouse, Toulon, where he won the European Cup alongside close friend Matt Giteau.
Due to a change in eligibility laws — affectionately known as the “Giteau Law” — Mitchell returned in 2015 and played for the Wallabies. He won a place on Michael Cheika’s plane to the World Cup and helped seal Australia’s place in the final after setting up one of the tries of the tournament for Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Mitchell was off contract at the end of the French Top 14 season and had initially expressed a desire to return to Super Rugby.
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Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Our roster is full, thank you very much Drew. Go hang out with Delta somewhere far away from here.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Drew had a great line breaking ability at his peak - not dissimilar to DHP come to think of it, 70 tests is a pretty good achievement even if he wasnt liked by many. I was a Fan. Enjoy retirement!
He's going to be Giteau's live in nanny for the kids - Gets more money and tax free.
Why all the hate on Mitchell? Came here, played ok, got burned by Firepower like everyone else and moved on. No biggie.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Haters gonna hate.
Liked drew and the way he played. Think he added to the Force whilst here. Shame to see him hang up his boots wish him all the best and maybe next year if he keeps fit he will be an injury cover at one of the teams.
Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!
He came here, filled his pockets, left as soon as he could and then proceeded to be rude about Perth being a backwater. Gave me the impression of being a rather shallow person with no loyalty to the club that gave him a good foothold. That's why I don't care for him.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Does it surprise anyone who the haters are though?
Well - he didn't actually fill his pockets. As i said up there ^ They might have only been 2/3 full.
He was always professional about his rugby. Who can blame the bloke for being pissed off when a significant portion of the money he worked damn hard for, and was contracted to earn never ended up in his account.
Also arguably the Reds were the team that gave him said foothold. without them he wouldn't have been a desired player.