Australia's most-capped Test prop Al Baxter remains hopeful of seeing out his career with a third World Cup appearance at the end of the year.
After announcing his retirement at year's end before NSW team-mates on Wednesday, 33-year-old Baxter declared he was desperate to add to his 69 Tests with a farewell tour to New Zealand for this year's World Cup.
Citing his ageing body and a desire to expand his architecture career as the reasons behind his decision to quit at the end of the season, Baxter is confident he's made the right call.
"It's a tough decision to make, but the more I've thought about it the clearer it's come to me that it is the right decision to make," he said.
"My body is holding up but it's certainly taken its fair share of collisions and contortions over the years and I'd rather make the decision to call it a day before my body does it for me."
"I'd love to play as many Tests as I possibly could and I'd love to play another World Cup, but obviously that's out of my hands."
The popular front-rower made his Test debut against the All Blacks in 2003 and has gone on to rack up the most number of games in the most demanding position of them all.
He is also the Waratahs' most-capped prop, playing 128 games since debuting in 1999.
He rates his first game for Australia and his two World Cups appearances as career highlights.
"When you're handed that Wallaby jersey (for the first time) it's an extraordinary feeling," he said.
"It's a huge honour and a privilege and I have vivid memories."
"Playing in the World Cups is pretty special (too), especially the one here in Australia."
"When we made that World Cup final it felt like we had the country behind us, everywhere we went we got massive support."
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said Baxter's contribution to Australian rugby should not be measured in statistics alone.
"It's not just what he has achieved on the field but the input he has offered off it, both to his Test colleagues but also to the younger players coming through at New South Wales," Deans offered.
"It is an increasingly rare commodity in the modern era but Al managed to maintain balance in his life between his family, his professional career and the game, providing an important example to the younger players around him in the process."