NEW South Wales and former Australia lock Al Kanaar has retired from rugby union after a year-long battle with a chronic knee injury.
Kanaar missed the entire 2007 season after an knee reconstruction on his left anterior cruciate ligament after a fall in the trial match against the Brumbies in January last year.
The 24-year-old played 26 Super rugby matches for the Waratahs and made one appearance for the Wallabies, against New Zealand at Eden Park, in 2005.
The Nowra-born forward says he began to realise a few weeks ago that his playing days were over.
"I really thought this was going to be a big year for me but my knee just wasn’t responding to the level needed to play this game," Kanaar said.
"It was a tough period. I was really down and depressed but I came through it and now I’m positive about the future."
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said he was disappointed for Kanaar.
"The Waratahs have lost a significant player in Al and were devastated as a team and upset for him personally," McKenzie said.
"He worked extremely hard to get back on the training paddock and this is something he doesn’t deserve. "
AAP
Source: Injury forces Kanaar to retire
