STEPHEN MOORE TO RETIRE A WALLABIES LEGEND

Nov 25 • General News, International • 2640 Views • Comments Off on STEPHEN MOORE TO RETIRE A WALLABIES LEGEND

Rugby Australia CEO Bill Pulver has paid tribute to a “legend of Australian Rugby” as Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore prepares for his 129th and final Test match against Scotland on Sunday.

The 34-year-old will have an army of family and friends in the stands at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Sunday morning 1.30am AEDT) as he runs out for the final time in his beloved gold number 2 jersey.

Moore is the second most-capped Wallabies player all-time, behind only George Gregan, and is Australia’s most-capped player in Vodafone Super Rugby. His 177 Super Rugby appearances make him second in the competition’s history behind only New Zealander Wyatt Crockett.

Rugby Australia CEO Bill Pulver said: “On behalf of the Australian Rugby community, I want to extend a sincere thanks to Stephen Moore for his contribution to our game, and congratulations on a remarkable career.

“By any measure, Stephen is a legend of Australian Rugby. He has given outstanding service to the game, at every level, across a stellar fifteen-year career in professional Rugby.

“While his list of career achievements is long, including captaining the Wallabies to the Rugby World Cup Final in 2015, Stephen will also be remembered as player who personified the values of the game.

“He is a wonderful, fearless leader and a great example to any young player aspiring to reach the highest levels of the sport. To put it in Australian terms, he is as fair dinkum as they come, and one of the most respected players in world Rugby.

“His longevity has been extraordinary, given he plays in one of the toughest positions on the field and he has earned his place among our greatest Wallabies.”

The man affectionately known as ‘Squeak’ made his Test debut against Samoa in Sydney in 2005 and will end his career on Sunday with 129 Test appearances.

Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh was the venue for his first starting appearance for the Wallabies, which he celebrated with his first international try in a 44-15 Wallabies victory in 2006. Remarkably, Sunday marks exactly 11 years since that day.

The Saudi Arabia-born hooker rose through the junior ranks in Queensland, earning his first taste with the Rockhampton Pioneers and with Brisbane Grammar School before joining the University of Queensland.

Moore represented Australia at under 19 and under 21 level, playing in two under 21s World Championships, and made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds in 2003 against the Bulls.

He went on to play 46 matches for the Reds in his first stint, before linking with the Brumbies in 2009 and playing 117 matches for the Canberra-based outfit before returning to Queensland in 2017 for one final season.

Moore was named Wallabies Captain for the opening Test against France in June 2014, becoming the 81st man to lead Australia.

Stephen’s wife, Courtney, and three children will be in Edinburgh watching, along with his extended family from Ireland, who have flown over for Moore’s farewell to international Rugby.

Fans are being urged to show their appreciation for Stephen Moore’s outstanding international career by using the hashtag #ThanksSqueak on social media this weekend.