KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Everyone wanted to look back on Ruben Wiki's magnificent test career, but the tough prop was more interested in looking forward after the Tri-Nations final in Sydney.
The great test careers of Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana came to an end at Aussie Stadium on
Saturday night.
After the euphoria of a brilliant Tri-Nations final, there was a touch of sadness realising that three great figures of the Kiwi game will no longer be seen in the black jersey.
It is now time for the new breed, including Sonny Bill Williams and Benji Marshall, who were absent through injury, to take over.
The retiring trio will be remembered as vital league figures because, more than anyone, they inspired a Kiwis side to break Australia's total dominance of test series.
While Wiki and Vagana were open about their retirements, Jones has decided to simply fade away.
The 33-year-old Wiki has two years on his Warriors contract. The 31-year-old Vagana is headed to Souths for two years, and Jones, aged 30, is set to retire after a final season for Les Catalans.
Wiki leaves with a world-record mark of 55 tests. For so long this was the number that stood as the benchmark of great New Zealand sports careers, the number of times Colin Meads wore the All Blacks test jersey.
Now it stands at the peak of the league world, but the humble Wiki was keen to talk about the test arena rather than his own career.
He made a plea for league to protect tests by ensuring all players are available for mid-year games.
"Hopefully the Anzac test and other games through the middle of the year will find everyone available," Wiki said in the Kiwis' dressing room.
"Hopefully they actually treat those games like legitimate tests, so everyone has got the ability to prepare properly. It is in the rules - they must sort it out."
Wiki refused to pick out any particular test as a highlight.
"Every single game, win or lose. I'm proud to be a Kiwi," said Wiki, who made his debut as a back in 1994.
"Every time I pulled that jersey on it meant the most."
Wiki's wife, Santa, and their children Denzel, 7, and Mackenzie, 5, were at the ground. Wiki would not specify when he made his retirement decision.
"It's been tough but I'm going out a winner and very proud," he said.
"We had no subs tonight, the boys did everything for their mate, their brother next to them. That is what going to war is all about.
"We didn't get the result but it was one hell of a game. You go to sleep for one second and that is what happens.
"It was one of the great tests, and hopefully in years to come it will get better and better.
"For me, though, I want to see my kids grow up."
There were things like time at their schools and assemblies to be part of.
Vagana, the makeshift standoff, said: "Retirement ends up being a pretty easy decision knowing that all these young guys are good enough to carry it on."
Vagana nominated the highlights of his 38-test career as last year's Tri-Nations victory, and his 1998 debut alongside the likes of Jarrod McCracken and Quentin Pongia.
"Double overtime in a test, I've never been involved in that before," said Vagana.
"It wasn't meant to be but you can't fault the boys. This was the way I wanted to go out, busting arse for each other through the good times and bad.
"We only had one man on the bench for a while and the boys stuck tight. That means more to me than the result."
Jones, who played 46 tests after making his debut in 1995, said of Wiki and Vagana: "They are just fantastic blokes to play with. They are like older brothers to all of us.
"It is a sad day for New Zealand league, and they are big shoes to fill. I don't know if they can be filled, actually."
THREE OF THE BEST
Ruben Wiki, 33
Test debut: 1994 v Australia.
Tests: 55 (world record).
Test tries: 15.
NRL first-grade matches: 266.
Stacey Jones, 30
Test debut: 1995 World Cup.
Tests: 46.
Test tries: 16.
Test points: 160 (second to Matthew Ridge's NZ record of 168).
NRL first-grade matches: 238.
Nigel Vagana, 31
Test debut: 1998 v Australia.
Tests: 38.
Test tries: 19 (NZ record).
NRL first-grade matches: 208.
