Gregan set to quit, say media

George Gregan

DUBLIN - While Australia's victory over Ireland yesterday marked the end of a worrying seven-match run of defeats for the Wallabies, Cardiff could be the final scene in the remarkable career of Australia's captain, George Gregan.

Reports from Down Under at the weekend suggested that the veteran scrum-half is going to retire after Saturday's match against Wales - but he is denying it.

The Daily Telegraph in Sydney quoted unnamed Australian Rugby Union sources saying that 32-year-old Gregan intends to go public this week with his decision to call a halt to his 117-test career at the end of the Wallabies' international season.

But Gregan has denied the report. "That's news to me," he told The Australian newspaper.

Gregan said his test career would continue so long as his 2006 Super 14 form was good enough for him to be picked.

"You have to play well enough but I will be playing Super 14 next year and if the selectors see fit, test football as well," he said in Dublin.

"I still feel I am contributing and still enjoying it. It's a new season in 2006 and a new start, so I'll start afresh."

There is no doubt that Gregan, the world's most capped rugby union player, will make his 118th appearance because his coach, Eddie Jones, as good as said he would.

Particularly since it would be yet another landmark in a great career.

"I wouldn't expect massive changes," said Jones, "but there's a pretty good chance of George Gregan making his 50th appearance as captain."

The player himself spent most of his time in Dublin dead-batting all questions about his future.

However, what is for certain is that when he is gone his leadership qualities will be missed.

Australia's performance was not perfect, not by a long way, and Wales will prove as much of a handful at the set-piece and line-out as did a vastly improved Ireland, but in broken play the visitors broke Irish tackles and hearts.

Lote Tuqiri and Morgan Turinui were in commanding form in the middle of the back-line, Drew Mitchell on the left wing was dazzling in scoring two tries, while Chris Latham at full-back, was flawless, fast and fearless.

No wonder Ireland's new boy Andrew Trimble, the Ulster centre, was moved to observe of the Aussies: "They look smaller on TV. In real life, up close and alongside you they are bigger and stronger."

Eddie O'Sullivan, the Ireland coach, admitted: "Southern hemisphere sides are clinical and take advantage of all lapses."

For the Australians it does not get any easier, but Jones said simply: "Beating Wales would be a good way to finish the year."

- INDEPENDENT, AAP