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Nathan Sharpe will join the Wallabies on their tour of Europe. Photo: Reuters
Nathan Sharpe has answered the mayday call from Australian rugby and will play on through the four-Test tour of Europe next month.
It is understood the veteran lock and the ARU have come to an agreement that makes it possible for Sharpe to delay his retirement for a second time and finish his 111-Test career with the Wallabies against Wales in Cardiff on December 2.
Sharpe, 34, had originally planned on retiring at the end of the Super Rugby season but agreed to play through the Rugby Championship and final Bledisloe match after a career-best performance in the three-Test series against Wales in Australia in June.
The Wallabies's second-row stocks were ravaged by Dan Vickerman's forced retirement and a long-term injury to first-choice captain James Horwill.
Australia plays France, England, Italy and Wales on tour next month.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz28xQZbM9x
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Onya Sharpie
Should see him finish 7th on Most Test Matches Stats
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Despite the treatment he has received, again a case of the cream rising to the top.
A true champion that we have all been privledged to watch and admire for the past seven years close up and personal.
Cooper et al, time to back your bags and go elsewhere, rugby has always been a "hooligans" game played by gentleman, and here is a shining example.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Very well said Tazz!! Multiple "praises"!!
Sharpie The Man you need and can rely on in a crisis.
Bloody Diamond.
Well said Taz
May the FORCE be with you!
So. How do we get him to come home for another season?
Anyone want to be a campaign leader?
relocate his kids back here
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Sharpe to tour Europe with Wallabies
Veteran lock Nathan Sharpe has again postponed his rugby retirement and confirmed he's available for Australia's tour to Europe next month.
The Australian Rugby Union issued a statement Thursday saying Sharpe had extended his career, at the request of coach Robbie Deans, to help the Wallabies cover a long injury list.
The 34-year-old Sharpe became Australia's most-capped international forward when he led the Wallabies to a gritty win at Argentina last weekend in his 111th test.
He planned to retire after the upcoming test against New Zealand, but will now be available for tests against France, England, Italy and Wales.
Sharpe became Australia's fourth captain of 2012 - behind James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia, who were all injured - and guided the Wallabies to home and away win over Argentina and an away loss in South Africa.
ARU chief John O'Neill said the way Sharpe has "taken to the leadership in the face of adversity with the side losing three previous captains to injury, has been magnificent."
"For them to finish second in the Rugby Championship despite the setbacks encountered during the campaign have been a testament to the contribution he made as captain."
Sharpe, who was seemingly on the selection outer at last year's World Cup, had planned to retire after 2012 Super rugby season, but was enticed to continue after Horwill was injured.
"Playing for Australia is something I have never taken for granted. As such, to be asked to continue beyond the deadline I had set for myself was both flattering but also a request that was very difficult to turn down," Sharpe said. "The opportunity to lead the Wallabies again on what will be a challenging but exciting tour was too tempting. It is not easy to say no to your country."
Deans said Sharpe's influence on the injury-depleted squad "has been immense."
"He is arguably playing the best rugby of his career," Deans said. "Sharpey's presence and leadership has been a constant throughout the year - one of the few aspects of continuity that we've had through a season that is probably without precedent in terms of disruption."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...with-Wallabies
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
I don't suppose we could get Deans to convince Sharpie to play on for the next Super Rugby season?
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
Get to it Mr Foley
We could just use him as a Super sub just come on for the last 20. Not that he would want to do that. To much of a work ethic compared to some fat cats that will remain nameless.
May the FORCE be with you!