David Porecki Retires from Rugby: End of an Era for the Wallabies

David Porecki Hangs Up His Boots: End of a Professional Career

Wallabies hooker David Porecki has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. The 32-year-old Sydney-born player is ending his career just days after being a late withdrawal from Australia’s 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions at Accor Stadium. Porecki had an unconventional career in professional rugby, spending five seasons in the UK with the Saracens and London Irish, after playing only one Super Rugby match for the NSW Waratahs in 2015. He returned to Australia and the Waratahs before the 2021 season, but his debut with the Wallabies came a year later in a memorable victory against England in Perth. Known for his precision in the attacking game and his tireless work rate, Porecki was included in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th captain of the Wallabies after Will Skelton was injured, leading the team in three of their four group stage matches in France.

An injury sidelined Porecki for the entire 2024 season, but he fought to return to the international stage and start for the Wallabies in their first test match of the year against Fiji. His 21st and final appearance with the gold of the Wallabies was against the Lions in Melbourne, a heel injury during training forced him to miss the end of the series on Saturday night.

Wearing the gold of the Wallabies and the blue of the Waratahs was a childhood dream growing up in Manly and being able to say I did both is something I am incredibly proud of.

David Porecki

In a statement from the Waratahs, Porecki added: “Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for and has been a very important part of my life for so long, but I feel it’s the right time to turn the page and start a new chapter.” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt paid tribute to the departing player.

Porky is the ultimate professional and a silent achiever.

Joe Schmidt

Schmidt continued: “He doesn’t say much, he prefers to stick to the work and lead by example, and he has done very well during the time I’ve known him.” Waratahs coach Dan McKellar also spoke.

It’s a sad day when any player retires. I have worked closely with Porky for several years and have great respect for what he brings to the field with his qualities in the attacking game, his physique and his toughness.

Dan McKellar

McKellar added: “He has never been the biggest hooker to have existed. He has always played well above his weight. Off the field, he is a true family man and a genuinely good guy. We will miss him a lot in the Waratahs walls.”