Dave Porecki retires from professional rugby

Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of 32, bringing an end to a career that saw him earn 21 caps for Australia and briefly captain the national side during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Porecki made the decision to step away from the sport just weeks after returning to the Wallabies lineup under new head coach Joe Schmidt.

After nearly two years out of international action, he was recalled for Australia’s Test against Fiji in July but suffered a concussion during the match, ruling him out of the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.

He returned for the second Test in Melbourne but was forced to miss the final clash in Sydney due to a heel injury sustained in training.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Porecki said the time felt right to begin a new chapter. “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,” he said.

The New South Wales Waratahs forward thanked those who supported him throughout his career and shared his desire to spend more time with his family.

“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 played a key role for Australia during the 2023 World Cup in France, where he was named captain in three of the Wallabies’ four pool matches following an injury to regular skipper Will Skelton.