{"id":375827,"date":"2024-03-13T21:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T22:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=375827"},"modified":"2024-03-14T01:03:59","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T01:03:59","slug":"test-animal-behind-iconic-wallabies-moment-retires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=375827","title":{"rendered":"'Test animal' behind iconic Wallabies moment retires"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welsh rugby<\/a> icon George North received a standing ovation after announcing his shock retirement from international rugby.<\/p>\n

Throughout the lengthy press conference, the star centre fought back tears as he spoke fondly of his career that he thought was timeless.<\/p>\n

North will make his last appearance for Wales in the Six Nations on Sunday when they play Italy at Principality Stadium.<\/p>\n

Watch all the action from the 2024 Six Nations, with<\/strong><\/em> every match ad-free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

He'll end his career with 121 caps, putting him third all-time only behind Alun Wyn Jones (158) and Gethin Jenkins (129).<\/p>\n

\"George<\/p>\n

"It's not been an easy decision for me, although it feels like the right time and it's the best thing for me and my family," said North.<\/p>\n

"I've been very fortunate to live a dream not many people get to do. And to be able to do it at home in front of a sold-out stadium with my family around me seems like the best way for me to start my next chapter.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> 'So dishonest': Star ripped over contract rumours<\/strong><\/a>\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n

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"I didn't think this day would come \u2013 I wished this day would never come. It was a real head and heart conversation that bounced back and forward a number of times.<\/p>\n

"It's about me being able to go out on my terms and being able to enjoy it, like I have for every second of the last 14 years. I'm going to use this week and Saturday to really take it all in and to live my dream again one more time.<\/p>\n

"It has always been about me being the best I can be for Wales and wearing the three feathers on my chest. I would hate to put on the jersey and not do it justice.<\/p>\n

"The people I've met, the friendships I've made, the coaches and teammates I've met. I couldn't have written it better myself to be honest."<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/lionsofficial\/status\/1767909918680502309<\/a><\/p>\n

North made his debut for Wales in 2010 and has played in four Rugby World Cups.<\/p>\n

His debut against South Africa where he scored two tries set the tone for an illustrious career.<\/p>\n

In his 14-year career, North has scored 47 times for Wales and twice for the British & Irish Lions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2013, there were iconic scenes when he lifted and carried Wallabies star \ufeffIsrael Folau over his shoulder when they faced off as the Lions toured Australia.<\/p>\n

North won two Grand Slams (2012, 2019), two Six Nations titles (2013, 2021), and reached two Rugby World Cup semi-finals (2011, 2019).<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/George_North\/status\/1767882886105964610<\/a><\/p>\n

North isn't seeking a big song and dance when he takes to the field for the final time.<\/p>\n

Welsh rugby knows all too well about big occasions being spoiled.<\/p>\n

Dan Biggar's 100th cap and Alun Wyn Jones' 150th was upstaged by an Italy upset in Cardiff in 2022.<\/p>\n

"When I spoke to the squad, I said let's not get weird, I asked them for nothing to change from what we always do," said North.<\/p>\n

"We go toe-to-toe and work as hard as we can to get better each day."<\/p>\n

As for how he'd like to be remembered?<\/p>\n

"I hope people will think of me as a Test animal, someone who would never give in, would give everything, and left nothing out there," he said.<\/p>\n

"Half decent would be nice."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welsh rugby icon George North received a standing ovation after announcing his shock retirement from international rugby. Throughout the lengthy press conference, the star centre […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":375829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375827"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=375827"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":375830,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375827\/revisions\/375830"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=375827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=375827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=375827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}