Wallaby lock to end stint in the back of the bus

NSW Waratahs and Wallabies stalwart Dean Mumm has announced he will retire from all rugby at the end of the year.

The second-rower has racked up 124 matches for NSW and 112 with the Waratahs, to go with 57 tests for the Wallabies.

Mumm said he knew since the start of the season this would be his last year at NSW.

‘‘It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while,’’ Mumm said. ‘‘When you get to be the oldest in the team and at the back of the bus there’s probably only one way out and retirement’s something I’ve been working towards for a couple of years now.’’

Mumm made the announcement yesterday and was joined by his NSW team-mates who sat behind him in the stands at Allianz Stadium.

The 33-year-old made his debut for the Waratahs against Salta on a 2004 Argentine rugby tour before making his Super Rugby debut in 2007 against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Mumm also had a stint in the UK, captaining Exeter before returning to the Waratahs in 2015.

‘‘I was pretty clear with Daryl [coach Daryl Gibson] and the boys, they’ve known that this was going to be my last year,’’ Mumm said. ‘‘That makes it easy because a lot of the teams will be the last time you play them. I appreciate all the boys being behind me to try and help me celebrate what’s been a pretty fun career.’’

Mumm said he was still available for national selection this year, with coach Michael Cheika paying tribute to the second-rower.

‘‘Dean’s not only a great footballer but a great person and one that I have really enjoyed coaching,’’ Cheika said. ‘‘He made a big decision to return to Australia in 2015 and stepped up his game to a new level, while also taking on more responsibility in developing others around him.

‘‘Dean’s got a real plan for his life post-rugby and we will support that in any way we can, but he has still got plenty of opportunity to leave a legacy in the gold jersey and I expect he will do everything he can to do that before he hangs up the boots.’’

As for post-rugby plans, Mumm plans on hiking to the North Pole in 2018 to raise funds for charity.