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RugbyWA and the Emirates Western Force have congratulated Wallabies captain Nathan Sharpe on a magnificent career on the eve of his final Test match tomorrow night (AWST).
Sharpe is due to lead the Wallabies in his 116th Test when he captains Australia in their final Spring Tour match against Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
The Test match will be Sharpe’s last for Australia in an 11-year international career, that saw him twice call off his retirement in 2012 to lead the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup and Spring Tour. He leaves the code as Australia’s most-capped Test forward and second only to George Gregan (139 caps) on Australia’s all-time list of matches.
At the provincial level, the 34-year-old began his career with the Queensland Reds (70 Super Rugby caps) in 1998 before joining the Emirates Western Force as its inaugural captain for the 2006 Super Rugby season. Sharpe played seven seasons and 92 Super Rugby caps for the Emirates Western Force before captaining the side in their final match of 2012 against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The fairy tale finish to Sharpe’s stellar career was enhanced when he became the second player to win two John Eales Medals earlier this month in Sydney, in addition to claiming Australia’s Choice – Wallabies Player of the Year and Spirit of Rugby – Nick Farr-Jones Award on the night.
RugbyWA Chairman Russel Perry says Sharpe has deserved every accolade he’s collected over the past decade-and-a-half.
“On behalf of the Emirates Western Force, RugbyWA and the Western Australian rugby community, I would like to sincerely thank Nathan for the enormous contribution he has made to rugby, not just in WA but nationally and internationally,” he said.
“He’s been an outstanding ambassador for rugby at the elite level for 15 years and has always shown great respect to the game and its people. It’s pleasing to know that now he will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with his sons, Cooper and Franklin, who have had the opportunity to watch their father leading his country to finish off his playing days.
“From a club perspective, we’ve already had the opportunity to farewell Nathan and recognise him for the tremendous contribution he’s made since the inception of the club. Now it’s time for us to join the chorus of Australian rugby supporters thanking him for his efforts and for everything he’s done for rugby.
“There’s some poetic justice in the fact he’ll play his final Test against Wales, a country for whom he was approached to play for almost 15 years ago; however, it will be sad to see him lacing up the boots and donning his distinctive headgear for a final time.
“Of course Nathan has indicated he won’t be lost to the Emirates Western Force and plans are underway to establish a role for him and a continuing involvement with the club.
“In the meantime, I’d like to wish he and the Wallabies all the best against Wales and trust they’ll be doing all they can to finish the tour on a high and send Nathan out on a winning note.”