Rugbyheaven.com.au: GEORGE SMITH, rated by his Test coach Robbie Deans and former Wallabies captain Simon Poidevin as Australia's greatest breakaway because he was the master of surprise, yesterday continued to astound all by unexpectedly announcing his retirement from international football.

Smith, 29, who after 110 Tests remains among the world's best forwards and close to the top of his game, could well have played for the Wallabies for several more seasons, including the World Cup in New Zealand next year.

However, for many months Smith has not been sure he wanted to remain a Wallaby and recently sought a contract release from the Australian Rugby Union and ACT Brumbies at the end of the Super 14 tournament this year.

The ARU and Brumbies reluctantly agreed, allowing Smith to ''explore other options'', the most likely being that he will play in Japan. Last year when interviewed before his 100th Test, Smith told the Herald he was interested in finishing his career overseas, and Japan was one country that intrigued him.

Smith yesterday said his prime reason for seeking a release and ending any chance of playing in his third World Cup tournament was to spend more time with his young family.

''I've been thinking about this decision for quite a while, because I felt that I needed to be spending more time with my family,'' Smith said.

''With the amount of travel with the Wallabies and during the Super 14, you do miss the family. This will allow me to spend more quality time with my family, while playing competitive football at the same time. I've had a great career in the Wallaby jersey, and I'm proud of that career, but it's time to move on.''

Smith said even though it was only six months since he had re-signed with the ARU until the end of the World Cup, he hadn't been entirely at ease with that decision.

''This was because I wanted to allow my family to experience, while I was playing rugby, a different culture. This is a chance to broaden their horizons, as well as mine,'' he said.

Smith said he was uncertain where he would play after the Super 14, and had not been talking to overseas clubs.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said that for several weeks he had been trying to convince Smith to change his mind. O'Neill first discussed the situation with Smith shortly after Christmas, and had numerous conversations over the past month when it was stressed how important he was to the Wallabies. But Smith kept saying that ''international rugby was not the driving force it once was'' for him. ''We could have said no to a release for George,'' O'Neill said. ''We could have insisted that he see out his contract. But George has given Australian Rugby unbelievable service. The ARU did not want him to leave, and we tried to convince him to stay.

''But the family circumstances were ones we took to heart, and we thought it only right not to stand in his way.''

Deans, who in recent Tests had been alternating Smith and David Pocock as the starting Test No.7, yesterday labelled his departing back-rower an all-time great.

When asked if Smith ranked as one of the greatest openside breakaways from any country, Deans said, ''George is right up there. You would have to say he is the best who has ever pulled the Wallaby jersey on, simply through weight of numbers. And crikey, it [openside breakaway] is a tough position. You just have to look at the number of games he has played at Test and Super level, which is the toughest competition because of the amount of travel. It's unprecedented. To that end, he's the greatest. There's no one who has been going as long in that position and has played so consistently. And he'll prove it again during this Super rugby season. Keep watching.''

Deans was backed by Poidevin, another of Australia's most outstanding Test back-rowers.

''George is arguably Australia's best flanker, because the guy was indestructible on the field and rarely injured, which is a great accolade for an athlete,'' Poidevin said yesterday. ''He had a fantastic balance between attack and defence which was unparalleled.''

Deans added that he could understand why Smith, whose Test tally is the second-highest among international forwards and second only to George Gregan (139) among Australian players, had decided to head elsewhere.

''George has just shown us what a remarkable man he is,'' Deans said. ''There's not many who can walk away from what he has at his feet. It would have been an incredibly tough decision to make. But for all the reasons he has expressed, it is the right one.''

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh - a long-time rival with Smith for the Wallabies No. 7 jersey - said he was ''disappointed'' that the end of their top billing head-to-heads would come to end; but believes their top billing contests brought the best out of each other.

''It has been competitive in every contest we've had. I started playing against George when I was 14 on the Northern Beaches,'' Waugh said last night. ''He has been one of the great Australian players and I will really miss playing against him and competing with him for Australian honours. It's really disappointing he is moving on.

''Our competition with each other has certainly pushed me to play better and hopefully I have done the same to him. We have had some great tussles and battles and it's great that we have got to this stage and still get on very well. He has been a friend for 10 years as well as an opposing player. ''

While Smith's retirement from Test rugby will open up the battle for the Wallabies No.7 jersey, Waugh said he was not considering that prospect.

''I am not looking at it in that light,'' he said. ''I am just appreciating what he has contributed to the game over the last decade.''

07 February, 2010