Louisa Wall: Let the body decide when it's time to go

The Samoan Sports Awards were held in Manukau City last night and Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki was named Sportsperson of the Year.

This follows his being named the Vodafone Warriors' Player of the Year, the New Zealand Rugby League's Player of the Year and receiving a special international award acknowledging his test appearance record.

He was also one of three finalists for the Golden Boot Award, given to the world's best player (the trophy went to Australian fullback Anthony Minichiello) and after leading the Kiwis to a 24-0 win over Australia in the Tri-Nations final.

It was not surprising his main rival for the Samoan award was All Black captain Tana Umaga.

These two Wainuiomata sportsmen are a proud and extremely accomplished pair and it is only at times like this that we compare such feats and make a judgment about who is more deserving of such recognition.

Both are special and achieved great things for their respective teams and New Zealand this year.

They highlighted the great sporting successes enjoyed by the country in 2005.

So, well done NZRL, so often you are the bridesmaid to the NZRU. Enjoy this success and let's hope you can capitalise on this momentum and continue the performances on the field next season.

When we look at the success this year of Umaga and Wiki it is interesting to note they are the same age, in fact they played together as 12-year olds.

Umaga is contending with media speculation about his impending international retirement. Wiki continues on: he has signed with the Warriors for another two years and will continue to be available for international selection until he retires.

Why play professionally and not be available for your country? It does not make sense.

Umaga should be available for the All Blacks next year after the Super 14 competition with the Hurricanes.

It will become fairly obvious if he is not up to it physically and that should determine whether he retires.

The same can be said of George Gregan, who again will be playing for the Brumbies in 2006. Play on until the Wallabies don't want you any more.

Don't make it easy for them.

Have a blinder season and dare them not to pick you.

It is always challenging to know when to call it quits but my feeling is that professional players should be available for all opportunities and when it is time to quit, exit the sport entirely.

Finally, an acknowledgment of the Peter Snell Institute of Sport, which celebrates its fifth year on Tuesday.

The institute has the mission to foster the development of world-class athletes for New Zealand in Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

The celebration next week is a chance for the institute's supporters, and relatives of scholarship recipients, to show their appreciation. For more information, visit the website below.