It was announced last week that Australian legend Matt Giteau was finally retiring from rugby after “milking” contracts dry.
Giteau achieved over a century of caps for his country, and many more for his club sides in a professional career that began at the start of the century. Predominantly utilised as a ball-playing inside centre, Giteau spent the first half of his career in Super Rugby with the Brumbies and Western Force respectively. During this time, he started to captivate the rugby world with his world-class vision and ability to manipulate play.
As Giteau hit his prime, he moved north to France as part of the ‘mega-money’ side Toulon, where he eventually formed a formidable partnership with English hero Jonny Wilkinson. It was during his time here that he found unrivaled European success. With three consecutive European trophies, it was a prime time for Giteau and his Toulon teammates.
Approaching the latter stages of his career, 2017 saw Giteau take his still considerable talents to the up-and-coming leagues in Japan and USA.
Taking to Twitter, the now 40-year-old was thankful for the opportunities he’s had over his glittering career:
Thank you ❤️🏉 pic.twitter.com/bCBll8KNJD
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) February 2, 2023
“It’s been such an amazing experience and one that I will miss but I have milked this game and contracts dry,
“Half my life spent playing this great game professionally and travelling the world getting to do it,
“Forever grateful to all my many coaches, staff members, referees and touch judges along the way.”
Check out some of his greatest moments:
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