Veteran Wallaby Dave Porecki announces shock retirement on eve of the Rugby Championship

It’s understood Porecki has been contemplating retirement for some time, and while he did not suffer a career-ending injury, his body has been through the wringer in recent seasons.

The 32-year-old was ruled out of the third British & Irish Lions Test with a cut to his heel, and missed all of last year with an Achilles injury.

“To wear the Wallaby gold and Waratahs blue was a dream of mine as a boy growing up in Manly and to be able to say I did both is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Porecki said.

“Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter.

“There’s a lot of people who have supported me in my journey, and to them I’ll be forever grateful. I’m especially looking forward to spending more time with my wife Shani and kids Luca, Charlie and Billie.

“I look forward to continuing to support the game away from the field in this next stage of my life.”

Porecki’s 21st and final time in Wallaby gold was against the Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 90,000 fans.

It leaves the Wallabies with a gaping hole in their hooking stocks, although Matt Faessler, Billy Pollard and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all played a role during the Lions series and will be competing for the No.2 jersey for the 2027 World Cup.

The Wallabies head to South Africa on Friday, for the opening two Tests of The Rugby Championship.

It’s understood Porecki, a well-studied and clever player, is set up for life after rugby with a corporate job.

A Seaforth junior, Porecki spent five seasons in the UK with Saracens and London Irish (2015-2020), after playing just the one Super Rugby match for NSW in 2015.

He returned to Australian rugby and the Waratahs ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, but his Wallabies debut came a year later in a memorable win against England in Perth where he became Wallaby number 952.

Known for his accuracy at set piece and tireless work rate, Porecki was named in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain, after injury to Will Skelton, leading the side in three of their four pool matches at the tournament.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “Porky is the ultimate professional and quiet achiever. He doesn’t say a lot, preferring to get on with the job and to lead by example, and he’s done that really well for the time that I’ve known him”.

“On behalf of everyone within the team we wish him and his family all the best in this next stage of their lives.”

NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s a sad day when any when any player retires.

“I have worked closely with ‘Porky’ for a number of years and have huge respect for him, with what he brings on field with his qualities at set piece, physicality, and toughness.

“He’s never been the biggest hooker going around. He’s always played well above his weight.

“Off field, he’s a true family man and genuinely good bloke. He’ll be sadly missed throughout the walls of the Waratahs.

“But like all Waratahs players, he’ll always be welcome in this building and then within this group. But I fully understand and respect his decision.

“With any footballer, a time comes where it’s ‘I’m ready to move on to the next chapter.’

“David is obviously comfortable with that and ready to take that next step in life. We just wish him all the best.”