Kevin Sinfield retires from international rugby after 40-cap career

England will need a new captain for this autumn’s Four Nations series in Australia and New Zealand after Kevin Sinfield announced his retirement from international rugby. Sinfield, who is 34 next week, led England in last year’s World Cup, with the last of his 40 caps – including 14 for Great Britain – ending in the bitter disappointment of the semi-final defeat against New Zealand at Wembley.

He made his debut shortly after his 20th birthday in the 2000 World Cup and shared in a handful of memorable victories, notably against Australia in the first Test of the 2001 Ashes series, when he was pressed into service at hooker for the first time in his career, and in the home series against New Zealand in 2007. He described the decision to retire as “the toughest of my professional career”.

“The World Cup last year was a major step forward for the England team and the support we received reached a new level,” he said. “I would like to thank the England and Great Britain fans who have always given me their support and I am sure more successful times are not far away. Following the World Cup, I was keen to continue. However I want to be able to perform at the highest possible level whenever I take the field. I believe that by taking this decision, it will enable me to do that for the Rhinos for the remainder of my career.”

England’s coach, Steve McNamara, said: “Kevin is the ultimate rugby league professional and it has been a privilege to work with him in the last few years, when his attitude, application and enthusiasm have rubbed off on everybody. His contribution and commitment to the England programme has been exemplary. I know that he has not taken this decision lightly and, having spoken to him at length in the last few days, I fully understand his reasons for calling time on his international career.”

McNamara, who is currently based in Australia as an assistant coach with the Sydney Roosters, must now choose whether to appoint Wigan’s Sean O’Loughlin, who would be the outstanding domestic Super League candidate, as Sinfield’s successor, or to hand the armband to one of the players now employed with him in the National Rugby League.

Sam Burgess would have been the strong favourite for the position had he not accepted an offer to switch codes with Bath at the end of the Australian season, but the former St Helens forward James Graham, now with Canterbury Bulldogs, has done the job before, and Sam Tomkins, who left Wigan for New Zealand Warrriors at the end of last season, could be an outside contender.

Article source: http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-union/news/article/504/9094491/ireland-lose-sean-obrien

Kevin Sinfield retires from international rugby after 40-cap career