Wallabies flanker David Pocock will bow out of international rugby after this year's Rugby World Cup,saying Australian rugby is in "good hands" with the next generation of back rowers.
Pocock slipped the decision into a press conference in a typically low-key fashion on Friday, when asked about returning to the fold and the significance of playing with others for whom the Test would be their last.
The 31-year-old retired from domestic rugby earlier this year as he battled a lingering calf injury but never declared his international future officially until this week.
Pocock will play with Japanese Top League side Panasonic after the World Cup but would still have been eligible to play for the Wallabies if he wanted to.
The no. 7, who will also captain the Wallabies on Saturday night, initially subtly mentioned the symmetry of sharing an early Test start with halfback Will Genia a decade ago and "finishing up" in Sydney together this weekend.
"Any injury can be career-ending and as players, we talk about it often, you never know when your last game is going to be, so to be back here with this opportunity tomorrow night," he said.
"Look at who I get to play alongside - Willy Genia, we played our first run-on start about 10 years ago against South Africa together, so to both finish up together here in Sydney is special and we want to make the most of that."
While that game was actually Pocock's second start, with the flanker running on against Italy in Melbourne earlier that year, the sentiment was still clear.
Then, asked about the players featuring in their final home Test this weekend, Pocock included himself in that group.
BREAKING: #Wallabies Flanker David Pocock will retire from international rugby after the #RWC2019!
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) September 6, 2019
Witness his final home hit out @BankwestStadium against @ManuSamoa this Saturday.
Tickets: https://t.co/g1bmktovac
#AUSvSAM #GoldBlooded #TeamRugby pic.twitter.com/ncIY6FFopd
"I guess on a personal note, it adds a bit, you reflect on the time you've had in the Wallabies jersey, what you've tried to add, the legacy you hope you'll leave and then just the opportunity to play in front of family and friends one last time," he said.
"That's all great but it all comes down to the team effort really and I think that's been the focus for the guys.
"We know that without a good team performance, it won't be as special."
When asked his reasons for the call, Pocock said a major factor was seeing the rise of Australia's young backrowers, including Liam Wright and Rob Valetini, who will feature for Australia on Saturday night.
"I think looking at the flankers coming through, i think we're in good hands and that's exciting for Australian rugby," he said.
"I feel like I've put a lot into it, I've really enjoyed it, benefited a huge amount.
"As an immigrant to Australia, rugby's provided me with somewhere to make friends, to feel like I belong and obviously gone on to get huge opportunities playing professional rugby - Force, Brumbies and for the Wallabies.
"So, I feel like it's time to move on to other things and contribute in other areas."
The openside follows Will Genia, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu in officially declaring his international retirement while Saturday's Test shapes as a potential home swansong for Bernard Foley, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Phipps.
Lock Adam Coleman, who doesn't qualify under the Giteau Law, is also set to be absent from Tests for the next three years, as he heads to London Irish.
Pocock debuted for the Wallabies in a 2008 Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong and has gone on to play 77 Tests for his country, though there is no ignoring the sense that he could easily have added many more were it not for his horrific luck with injury.
Two consecutive knee reconstructions held him back in 2013 and 2014, while he has also battled broken bones and this year, a frustrating calf injury.
A year-long break from Australian rugby also chewed into his potential Test tally, but his value to the Wallabies was only underlined when he claimed his second John Eales medal in 2018 despite that break keeping him out for a third of the season.
Pocock has been open about his desire to make it to his third World Cup, a tournament where he has shone, after going agonisingly close to claiming the trophy in 2015.
Pocock has put all his eggs into Australia's World Cup basket, forgoing that Brumbies farewell to focus on rehabbing his calf for the Japan tournament, and the muscle will face its first run of Test rugby on Saturday.
The Wallabies veteran said he wasn't sure how many minutes he would play in his first match in close to six months but coach Michael Cheika said earlier in the week that the star would be unlikely to see out the full 80.
Pocock's limited minutes would open the door for Wright to play the second of what Pocock thinks could be many Tests to come.
"Liam, he's got a big future ahead of him. incredibly diligent, always looking to learn, has real game sense, i'm sure we'll see a lot more of him," he said.
The Wallabies take on Samoa on Saturday September 7 at Bankwest Stadium, kicking off at 7:30pm AEST, LIVE on Network Ten, Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Gates open at 5:00pm, with Waverley College taking on St Augustine's College at 5:15pm for the Sutherland Shield. Buy tickets here.
