Samoa's Joe Tekori announces retirement from international rugby

Samoa lock Joe Tekori has announced his decision to retire from international rugby with immediate effect.

The news will be a big blow for the Pacific Nations team with the World Cup just two months away.

The 35-year-old made his international debut in 2007 against South Africa in Johannesburg and has gone to play 37 times for Samoa scoring five tries. His last international appearance came in July last year against Germany.

Tekori also featured in nine World Cup games spread across 2007 and 2015 editions.

"Today I would like to announce my ending of my International Rugby Career. It was not an easy decision to make but I am blessed and grateful to have been able to put on the blue jersey and play to represent my beautiful Country Samoa," he posted on his social media account Instagram.

"My time has come and to now focus my rugby career on the club I am playing for now. Starting my first Samoa selection 2003 and ending my last game in 2018

"My 3 rugby world cup tours to my last game playing for the Manu Samoa last year against Germany for the qualification for the Worldcup 2019.

"Would like to thank everyone who made it possible for me especially to my wife and kids for holding it down while I was away for weeks even months and to my family back in Nz and in Samoa"