Rugby: The Ireland management will seek to persuade Ronan O'Gara to shelve any retirement plans after the outhalf suggested the World Cup will be his Test swansong.

An emotional O’Gara indicated in the aftermath of yesterday’s magnificent 15-6 victory over Australia that his 11-year international career was almost over.

“It’s massive, this is it for us. I’m done with Ireland in a few weeks,” he told RTE. “I’ve had a great time in this jersey but I want this to be the biggest time. It’s a great team, a great bunch of lads and it means a lot to us.”

Team manager Paul McNaughton revealed management were unaware of his plans and an effort would be made to convince O’Gara, who kicked two crucial penalties at Eden Park, to continue playing for Ireland.

“Ronan hasn’t talked formally to us about it. There’s no doubt he still has something to offer the team after the World Cup,” said McNaughton. “He’s contracted for the next couple of years. Undoubtedly (coach) Declan Kidney and the management will be encouraging him to stay on.

“He’s a very, very important part of the set-up here.”

O’Gara has kicked 1,039 points for Ireland during his 113-cap career, but has slipped to second place in the outhalf pecking order behind Jonathan Sexton.

The 34-year-old, who made his debut in 2000 and has been on three Lions tours, could yet reclaim the number 10 jersey given Sexton’s unconvincing performances against the USA and Australia so far this month.

Meanwhile, Paul O’Connell and Gordon D’Arcy will undergo scans tomorrow after sustaining hamstring injuries at Eden Park.

O’Connell’s hamstring tightened up during the match while D’Arcy incurred a low-grade tear, though there is no major concern over either player at this stage.

“We’ll know more when we scan them but they’re low-grade issues at this stage,” said McNaughton.