One consequence of rugby being postponed is that it will finish the careers of some players, robbing them of the chance of playing their final match.
It may be insignificant in the broad scheme of things, but it is nonetheless disappointing from a rugby perspective.
1. Matt Giteau
“There are more important things than rugby right now,” Giteau had posted on Twitter.
Back in his homeland the 37-year-old 103-times capped Wallaby is beginning to face up to his 18-year career at the top of the game being potentially over. This is now unfortunately a realistic possibility for a player that seemed to be eternal.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Matt Giteau of Australia celebrates victory after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on October 18, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
2. Sergio Parisse
Despite having offers from the likes of London Irish, Parisse is set to be out of contract at Toulon this summer. The talismanic number 8 has already twice been denied a fitting send off with Italy and now could retire without a suitable conclusion. No player deserves more of a send-off in test rugby, but it is unclear if Parisse will get that chance.
3. David Pocock
Like Carter, Pocock is another player that has not given any details about his future, and at 31, he may still have more miles in the clock. However, this was the final season of his contract with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, and given the stress his body has been put under throughout his career, no one would blame the flanker for hanging up his boots early.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: David Pocock of Australia leaves the field during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Australia and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on October 10, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
4. Kieran Read
The former All Black captain quit international rugby after leading his country to a third place finish at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. But unlike his predecessor Richie McCaw, who retired altogether from rugby after the 2015 World Cup triumph, Read had a spell in Japan after signing a one-year deal with Toyota Verblitz. With that contract coming to an end, the world class back-rower may have played his final match.
Kieran Read of New Zealand (All Blacks) in action during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Argentina v New Zealand at Wembley Stadium Connected by EE on Sep 20th 2015 in London - Photo mandatory by-line: Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - SPORT - International Rugby
5. Francois Louw
The 34-year-old, who had planned to retire at the end of the current season, has become an iconic figure with Bath fans making 140 appearances over nine seasons at the Rec. His Bath retirement contrasts to his calling time on his international career after winning 76 caps for the Springboks over a nine-year period. That conclusion came in the Springboks’ 32-12 crushing of England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final last November.
BATH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been processed using digital filters) Francois Louw of Bath poses for a portrait during the Bath Rugby Photo Shoot at Farleigh House on January 20, 2015 in Bath, England. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)
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