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Wallabies star Drew Mitchell to retire

Drew Mitchell in action for Australia

Drew Mitchell, Australia’s record try-scorer in Rugby World Cups, has announced he is to retire at the end of the season.

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Mitchell, 33, has spent the last four years playing his club rugby for Toulon, winning two European Champions Cups and the 2013-14 Top 14 title during his time in France.

A veteran of 71 caps for the Wallabies, his international career initially looked to be over when he moved overseas after starring for Queensland Reds, Western Force and Waratahs in Super Rugby.

However, a change in eligibility rules led to Mitchell earning an Australia recall and he went on to play at his third World Cup in 2015 as Michael Cheika’s men reached the final, becoming his country’s leading try-scorer in the competition in the process.

Only South Africa’s Bryan Habana and the late, great Jonah Lomu of New Zealand have surpassed his tally of 14 RWC tries.

Mitchell confirmed his impending retirement via Twitter on Monday, having been hampered by injury trouble throughout the current campaign.

A post from his official account read: “So it’s my turn to call time on my rugby career! I’ve been very lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had in our great game. Thank you.”

Matt Giteau, a team-mate of Mitchell for Australia and Toulon, responded with a tweet that read: “Nooooooo!! Been a real privilege babe. Very sad day though.”

Mitchell swiftly replied: “The privilege has been all mine babe!! Now get back on the field before the end of the season so we can have 1 last run around together!!”

A replacement appearance against South Africa in September represented a last Wallabies outing for Mitchell, who scored 34 international tries.

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Nickers 28 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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