Super Rugby
Tyrell forced to retire
ESPNscrum Staff
January 22, 2011
Western Force hooker Ryan Tyrell is felled by Tim Fairbrother during training at UWA Sports Park, Perth, Australia, January 10, 2010
Ryan Tyrell in training with Western Force prior to the 2010 Super 14 season © Getty Images
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Teams: Australia | Force

Western Force hooker Ryan Tyrell has been forced to retire, shattering his dreams of playing more Super Rugby.

The 27-year-old injured his neck during the Force's Super 14 clash with the Waratahs last season and underwent fusion surgery days after, when a disc was removed and replaced with a piece of harvested bone. The Force signed re-signed him on a rookie contract until April as they monitored his progress.

But Tyrell, who made four Super 14 appearances for the Force after making his debut against the Hurricanes in Wellington last year, was forced to announce his retirement on Friday.

"Sharpie [captain Nathan Sharpe] said a few words, which was great," he told the West Australian. "It hasn't really sunk in yet but I'm not 21 anymore and I know in my heart of hearts that I've made the right decision.

"I'd been feeling really good at training but the real clincher came when we started going into contact and tackling and I didn't really recover. You've got to have supreme confidence to be in a Super Rugby front-row and, if I wasn't feeling right, then it wouldn't have been good for me or the team.

"It will be tough leaving rugby but I wouldn't trade the years I've had at the Force. I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my life and getting back to the real world. I'll do everything I can to support the Force."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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