Australia's Sekope Kepu to retire from international rugby at end of World Cup
Sekope Kepu has played 105 Tests for Australia
©PA
Australia international Sekope Kepu has confirmed that he will quit international rugby at the end of the upcoming World Cup in Japan.
Kepu started his professional rugby debut with Counties Manukau and has been with Waratahs since 2008 but will now move to London Irish for the 2019/20 season. His move to the Exiles will not affect his participation in the World Cup under the “Giteau Law”.
“Cheik got us to speak in Auckland, speak to the group, the centurions group and it was then that I realised what a unique group to be a part of,” Kepu told Rugby Australia’s official website.
“Obviously through the years, you just play footy and you love it, you just want to get every Test you can and play in every game you can but to actually notch 100 last year and to be a part of such a special group…It’s one of those things – you never thought you’d be able to achieve that and to have done so, it’s something I’m very, very privileged to do and I’ve been fortunate to play for as long as I have been.”
The 33-year-old made his Australia debut in 2008 and has racked up over 105 Test appearances. He is also the first Wallabies prop to feature in over 100 Tests and was also part of the 2011 and 2015 World Cups squads.
“I remember that day very well – baptism of fire, I guess,” he added.
“In 2011, leading into the World Cup as well, it was my first start at loosehead. To come full circle again in my last Test match on home soil is going to be very special.”
