Tecklenburg to leave Lions’ den
BIG SURPRISE: FLANKER ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
Coach Ackermann pays tribute to an unsung hero.
He found himself in a proverbial rugby desert before the now retired Lions flanker Warwick Tecklenburg was given a lifeline at his adopted province.
Often described as the hard man in the Lions pack, flanker Tecklenburg’s sudden retirement yesterday, having just returned from Japan, has been met with disbelief and regret.
The 30-year-old Tecklenburg said his move from the Bulls in 2013 was the best decision he could have made, but family interests in their farming business in the Lowveld forced his hand.
“I owe a special debt of gratitude to coach Johan Ackermann who gave me a chance and backed me when no one else did,” said Tecklenburg.
“It has always been my intention to join my family in the family farming business after rugby and it has been a very difficult decision to make but I feel the time is right for me to move on.”
Tecklenburg’s decision opens the door for players like Robert Kruger, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink and Fabian Booysen to make the position their own.
Often described as the “glue” in the Lions back row with his high workrate and tenacity in contact situations, he was often described by Lions skipper Warren Whiteley as “he doesn’t say much but boy, he is as tough as nails” and “somebody I’d rather play with than against”.
Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the Golden Lions, said Tecklenburg was one of the unsung heroes during the Lions’ resurgence in Super Rugby.
“We wish him all the best with the next chapter in his life.”
Lions coach Johan Ackermann was full of praise as he thanked the burly flanker for his service to Lions rugby.
“The team and I want to thank Warwick for his great contribution to the Lions, his role was massive in making the union a proud union again.
“Warwick’s character was inspiring to the team and you always knew what you got from him and that was 100%. May he and his family be blessed on their path after rugby.”
The Lions yesterday named an experimental and inexperienced 28-man squad for the warm-up match against the Bulls in Harare on Saturday with very few of the players having featured for the Lions in either the Super Rugby final or the Currie Cup.