Ricky Januarie retires from International Rugby

Springboks halfback Ricky Januarie has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Interesting, given how much a fan PDV is of him I would have thought he was a cert for the RWC.

Is he retiring immediately or after RWC?

He's named in the RWC Training Squad.

He's withdrawing from the squad apparently. And he's suuposedly signed with Lyon from September.

Its finally happened. International rugby being 2nd best to money.

Pulling out of a RWC squad to go play for Lyon

So, it's only taken us 16 years of professionalism to catch up with Football

But red_stag he was not 1st pick and he is getting older, no probs him going for his pension money now.

I think south France is the best place for rugby players anyway, I like th elifestyle there and I think that'll suit a lot of others.

Seems a shame, but players usually retire because of 2 things: They either have crippling injuries that force them to give up or they realise they can't quite cut it at the top level anymore.

I like RJ as a player, but as stated, he was not first choice and maybe that didn't sit well with him.

The article doesn't read to me as if this is a simple money play. In those cases there would usually be somehting written a bit more politely. This sounds like there was a falling out over something.

Call up for Ruan Pienaar?

OR maybe now fellow baldie Greagan has retired RJ thinks he's standing out too much playing on???

** just kidding guys!!! **

red_stag wrote:Call up for Ruan Pienaar?

Pienaer is already in the squad.

There were 4 scrum halfs in the 49.
All this means is the 4th best of them is no longer available - thats one position SA have sorted then.

He wasn't 2nd choice in the squad either and was there just in case something happens to the other two as he atleast had some international caps. Wish him all the best - he did score what is probably the best try in Springbok history.

is januarie the chubby bloke who played for the o's for a bit?

Yeah, Pienaar was always going to go regardless of Janurie's fitness/availability. A guy who can play both 9 and 10 to a high standard is invaluable in a World Cup squad.

To be honest, PdV's selection at scrum half between Ricky and Ruan was about the only time where I think Divvy got it right. I think it was two 3N's ago where he was pilloried for not picking the 'transition' friendly option over the player from South Africa's rugby tradition.

The man makes...... interesting decisons at time but that for me was spot on. The the emergence of Hougaard last year (what a tackle on AAC) meant Ricky slipped another peg down the chain. I do think he probably should have joined the squad and see where it lead him as one injury and he's in the squad, two and he's on the teamsheet.

But pensions are important too!

welshy824 wrote:is januarie the chubby bloke who played for the o's for a bit?

Yes. He received quite high prays from there coach, but in SA most people wasn't convinced that he should be the backup.

great news for LyonOU having Januarie available from the start of the season;newly promoted clubs need to be able to count on a full staff,especially as the established sides will be weakened by the RWC.RSA will be a happy man