Wallabies and Waratahs hooker David Porecki has announced his shock retirement from professional career with immediate effect.<\/b><\/p>\n
The front rower\u2019s decision comes just days after the third Test match between Australia and the British and Irish Lions, which the Wallabies<\/a> won 22-12.<\/p>\n Porecki<\/a> was set to feature in the match, having been named in the matchday 23, but withdrew due to injury on the eve of the Test match.<\/p>\n The 32-year-old born and bred in Sydney traversed an unconventional path in professional Rugby, spending five seasons in the UK with Saracens and London Irish (2015-2020), after playing just the one Super Rugby match for NSW in 2015.<\/p>\n Dave Porecki retires<\/p>\n Porecki returned to Australian Rugby and the Waratahs ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, and his\u00a0Wallabies debut came a year later in a memorable win against England in Perth.<\/p>\n Known for his accuracy at set piece and tireless work rate, Porecki was named in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain, after injury to Will Skelton, leading the side in three of their four pool matches at the tournament.<\/p>\n However, an injury setback saw him miss the entire 2024 season, but he fought his way back to the international stage to start for the Wallabies in their first Test this year against Fiji.<\/p>\n His 21st and final appearance in Wallaby gold was against the British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.<\/p>\n \u201cTo wear the Wallaby gold and Waratahs blue was a dream of mine as a boy growing up in Manly and to be able to say I did both is something I\u2019m incredibly proud of,\u201d Porecki said.<\/p>\n \u201cRugby 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 and start a new chapter.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of people who have supported me in my journey, and to them I\u2019ll be forever grateful. I\u2019m especially looking forward to spending more time with my wife Shani and kids Luca, Charlie and Billie.<\/p>\n \u201cI look forward to continuing to support the game away from the field in this next stage of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Wallabies v British and Irish Lions Team of the Series: Tom Curry \u2018silences his doubters\u2019 while youngster with \u2018massive potential\u2019 shines for Australia <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n