Wallabies prop Sekope Keou has announced that he will retire from Test rugby following the World Cup in Japan later this year.
Kepu is moving to London Irish after the World Cup but will still be eligible to play for Australia under the ‘Giteau law’.
Despite the fact that he would remain available for selection, Sekope has decided to rule himself out of any future involvement with the Wallabies.
‘Obviously through the years, you just play footy and you love it, you just want to get every Test you can and play in every game you can, but to actually notch 100 last year and to be a part of such a special group … it’s one of those things you never thought you’d be able to achieve,’ Kepu said. ‘And to have done so, it’s something I’m very, very privileged to do and I’ve been fortunate to play for as long as I have been.
‘I’ve really, really enjoyed it and … you see it coming to an end and I just want to make the most of it now.’
Kepu made his international debut against Italy in 2008 and would go on to become the first prop to play a milestone 100 Tests for the Wallabies against the All Blacks last year.
BREAKING: #Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu will retire from international rugby at the end of the #RWC2019.
Farewell the #Wallaby centurion @BankwestStadium as we take on @manusamoa this Saturday night!
READ: https://t.co/LD720uf9Qp
TICKETS: https://t.co/g1bmktovac#AUSvSAM pic.twitter.com/bZNhps8IWU
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 2, 2019
Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images