David Porecki Retires: The Wallabies Hooker Hangs Up His Rugby Boots

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

The Wallabies’ hooker, David Porecki, has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. The 32-year-old player, born in Sydney, is ending his sporting career a few days after being a last-minute withdrawal from Australia’s 22-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in the third Test played at Accor Stadium. Porecki had an unusual 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 set-piece plays and his tireless work rate, Porecki was included in the squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and became the 88th captain of the Wallabies following Will Skelton’s injury, leading the team in three of their four group stage matches in France.

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

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

David Porecki

“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. He doesn’t say much, he prefers to do his job and lead by example, and he has done very well during the time I have known him.

Joe Schmidt

The Waratahs coach, Dan McKellar, said.

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 set plays, physicality and toughness. He has never been the most burly hooker. He has always played well above his weight. Off the field, he is a true family man and a really good guy. He will be sorely missed at the Waratahs’ walls.

Dan McKellar