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TYRRELL RETIRES FROM RUGBY
Friday, 21 January 2011 1:18pm
RugbyWA
Rookie listed Emirates Western Force hooker Ryan Tyrrell has made the toughest decision of his career and hung up his boots from competitive rugby.
Tyrrell made his Super Rugby debut in week two of 2010 against the Hurricanes in Wellington and played four consecutive matches before suffering a neck injury against the Waratahs in Perth which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
While it was feared that the injury could force him from the game immediately he returned following surgery to be one the best performers in pre-season preparations for 2011. The switch of focus from the gym to the field however saw pain return to his neck and the 27 year old made the tough call to bring the curtain down on his playing days.
Out of contract at the end of 2010, Tyrrell was given an opportunity by Head Coach Richard Graham to prove he was physically and mentally able to contribute again in Super Rugby and was offered an extension before the end of last year.
“Ryan worked extremely hard over the past six months to recover from a neck operation and to become a better rugby player,” Graham said.
“I had no hesitation in rewarding Ryan with an extended contract for this season given that he’d fulfilled the expectations placed upon him, however he has made the difficult decision in terms of his rugby future to retire and it’s unfortunate that it has come about because of injury."
It is a disappointing end for the tough front rower who was one of the success stories of West Australian rugby having made his way through the local ranks to play at the highest provincial level in the world.
Tyrrell earned his stripes at Rockingham, winning the 2008 PG Hampshire Award as the best player in the WA Premier Grade, before making his way through the Bankwest RugbyWA Academy and into the senior ranks where his dedication and fearless approach earned high praise from coaches and teammates alike.
“We’re very proud of the fact that Ryan made use of the West Australian development pathway and was able to fight his way into the Super Rugby squad and play at that level. The boys were extremely disappointed to hear of Ryan’s immediate retirement from the game as he is a well-respected member of the group,” Graham said.
Name: Ryan Tyrrell
Position: Hooker
Height: 183cm
Weight: 114kg
Date of Birth: 9/11/1983
Super Rugby Caps: 4
Super Rugby Debut: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 – Hurricanes v Emirates Western Force, Wellington
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