Lee Briers confirms his retirement and plans to move to next level in career
Wales’ skipper, Lee Briers, confirmed his retirement from International Rugby League on Friday, November 11, which has been the second time the announcement has surfaced from Briers.
The last time, Briers announced bowing out from his on-field role dates back to 2007, when Wales had failed to qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. However, Briers could not keep his words for long as he was lured back to continue exhibiting his
on-field brilliance.
This time, the player will not revert back on his retirement decision because he was immediately offered a position in the coaching staff of the Welsh side.
The 33-year-old is going to make his 23rd appearance for Wales and it is expected that the player will at least boot a goal in his departing showdown, during Sunday’s encounter against the series’ favourites, Australia, at the Glyndŵr University
Racecourse Stadium in Wrexham.
Expressing his views about the end of his on-field stint, Briers stated, “It has always meant something very special to me to represent my country and I felt honoured to have led Wales in this 2011 Gillette Four Nations campaign. But there comes a time in
your international career when you realise that it's difficult to keep putting yourself out there. It's been a really tough decision because of the pleasure I've had, but sometimes you've just got to realise that it's time for the next generation.”
He further went on and said that Wales have accomplished a great deal under given resources at the franchise, whose credit goes to their coach, Iestyn Harris, who had managed remarkably well.
The Welsh captain for two and half years, also lauded Iestyn’s coaching skills along with the General Manager of Wales Rugby League, Mark Rowley’s for his off-field guidance.
Briers is very happy with his transition from his on-field role to off-field coaching responsibility which is apparent from the fact that the long-serving Welsh player is looking forward to slip on the coaching hat to share that prestigious role with Harris.
Welsh head coach believes that his side should play really well to honour their departing skipper from his playing role during the weekend game.
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