Smith will consider recall

BRISBANE: Legendary Wallaby flanker, George Smith, said in Brisbane this week that he would consider a recall to Test rugby, but only as Wallaby coach Michael Cheika’s last resort, having exhausted all other younger options.

Smith, 36, made the Australian schools team as long ago as 1998 and was signed to professional rugby by Eddie Jones, current England coach but then-coach of the ACT Brumbies in Canberra in 1999, playing for the senior team in Super Rugby from 2000 to 2010 and in 2013, earning 142 caps.

He made his Test debut against France in Paris in November 2000, going on to play for the national team until 2009, including two World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Smith retired from international rugby in early 2010, choosing to play club rugby for Toulon in France for the 2010/2011 season.

Despite having retired as a Wallaby in 2010, he was persuaded by national coach Robbie Deans to make a surprise final appearance against the touring British & Lions in the third Test in 2013.

Smith won 111 Wallaby caps and is second on the list of caps behind lock Nathan Sharpe.

Smith said: “I’d never turn my back on Australia. I would never refuse one, if it was in the right circumstances. If Michael Cheika and the selectors have players who can fill the void, I’d rather he picked those players.” – ANA