1
WP Nel reveals the key factor behind his decision to retire
By PA
Scotland and Edinburgh prop WP Nel revealed that his decision to retire was driven primarily by concerns around his body’s ability to deal with the weekly rigours of professional rugby.
It was announced on Tuesday evening that the South Africa-born tighthead – who turns 38 next month – will call time on his career at the end of this season.
Nel, who was unable to play in the recent Six Nations due to neck problems, confirmed on Wednesday that fitness issues were taking a toll on him.
“It’s not a decision that came very easy but at the end, I had to think about what does the future look like?” he said in an interview with Edinburgh.
“With another year, how would the body react to that. This season, I’ve struggled a little bit with my neck.
“It can feel like the body is not there any more, with recovery and stuff. It just felt right to say ‘right, let’s call it a day at the end of the season’. It’s right for the family.”
Nel arrived in Scotland in 2012 when he joined Edinburgh from South African club Cheetahs. He want on to win 61 caps during an international career that incorporated involvement at the last three World Cups, while he made his 200th appearance for Edinburgh away to Stormers last Saturday.
The 37-year-old also welcomed four children into the world during his time in Scotland.
“When I think back to when we arrived in 2012, it was probably only my second time out of South Africa, it was a new country, we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “And to think where we are now, it’s been amazing.
“I was lying in bed this morning thinking what could I have done differently, and there was nothing. To have achieved what I have achieved is just amazing.
“I treated every game since my career started as a special opportunity.
“It’s been a journey for the family. When we came here it was just the two of us – me and my wife – and now there are six of us.
“It’s been a really good journey. Edinburgh has been really good for us as a family.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
'Damaging' Jordie Barrett move only helps All Blacks- ex-Ireland wing
3
OTD – Declan Kidney takes step up into Test rugby
4
Max Deegan opts to stay at Leinster over Ulster move
5
Latest Comments
After a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
Go to commentsSuper Rugby Pacific has been better as a spectacle due to the emphasis on speeding the game up and I’d look at taking things a step further. Instead of giving teams 90 seconds to take a conversion, let’s bring that down 60 seconds. You could also look at allowing 45 seconds for a penalty goal. Maybe teams could get 20 seconds instead of 30 to form a scrum before the ref then starts the engagement process. However, this year the most pleasing change is the added competitiveness in the Trans Tasman matches. What does frustrate me is how the rugby media in Australasia allow the the whole ‘‘rugby is boring’’/’’rugby yawnion’’ narrative to take hold from from vindictive league types, the chairman of the ARL commission and News Limited Australia. Stick up for the game and shift the narrative!
Go to comments