Rugby: Ireland's record points scorer Ronan O'Gara has indicated he will retire after the World Cup. Speaking after playing a crucial role in Ireland's 15-6 win over Australia in Auckland the Munster outhalf signalled the end of his 11-year international career is very near.
The 34-year-old came off the bench and kicked two late penalties on Saturday morning to seal a thrilling and historic win over the Wallabies that transformed Ireland's World Cup hopes.
O'Gara, twice a Heineken Cup winner and the tournament's highest ever points-scorer, was close to tears when speaking to the media after the game and told Ireland's national broadcaster that his international days were coming to an end.
"It's massive, this is it for us, I'm done with Ireland in a few weeks," an emotional O'Gara told RTE television. "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."
O'Gara has scored over 1,000 points for Ireland, almost twice as many as any other player and is one of only three players to have won over 100 caps for the country, his 113 appearances second only to captain Brian O'Driscoll.
He has been vying with Leinster's Jonny Sexton for the Irish number 10 jersey over the past two seasons, but if he does go he will have left plenty of magical moments for fans to remember, not least his contribution at Eden Park today and his drop-goal against Wales two years ago that sealed Ireland's Grand slam since 1948.
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