Wallabies centre forced into retirement

Severe ongoing concussions have forced another international star to hang up his boots.

According to Rugbycomau, Australia international Anthony Fainga’a has called an end to his rugby career due to concussions.

The extent of the concussions were so severe that Fainga’a had to be held up at the altar during his twin brother’s (fellow Wallabies representative Saia) wedding.

The centre played 23 Tests for the Wallabies and was a member of the Reds’ Super Rugby championship-winning team in 2011.

The Fainga'a twins celebrate winning the 2011 Super Rugby title. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Fainga’a, who is set to move back to Brisbane, has been playing in Japan for the past three seasons.

The 32-year-old revealed said he had opportunities to continue in the sport but had made the right call.

Fainga’a suffered several head knocks during his playing career, including one during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where he was taken from the field after losing consciousness for more than a minute.

“I’m probably only one more head knock away from being a vegetable or not being able to play with my kids,” Fainga’a told Fox Sports News.

“After a couple of really big head knocks, I had to make a big decision,” Fainga’a said, recalling an occasion more than two years ago when he realised the effect concussions were having on his health.

“In 2016, my twin brother got married and at the altar, I was actually getting held up because of the head knocks.

“I received a couple of really big head knocks over my career and I was standing at the altar getting held up, I got walked out by someone.

“I got a few head knocks last year and after all these head knocks I had to make a decision, make a choice about what I wanted to do with my future.

“I love the rugby game so much but I needed to look after my mental health.”

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