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MATT SYMONS TO RETIRE FROM RUGBY AT END OF THE SEASON
Wednesday, 27th April 2022 @ 14:00
HARLEQUINS LOCK MATT SYMONS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL RETIRE FROM RUGBY AT THE END OF THE CURRENT SEASON
Symons, 32, will hang up his boots this summer as he calls time on an 11-year playing career that began in Esher and saw him travel to New Zealand to captain the Waikato Chiefs before returning to England to play in the Gallagher Premiership for London Irish, Wasps and, finally, Harlequins.
A totemic figure within the Quins side that claimed the 2020/21 Premiership title in dramatic fashion, Symons will close his career having played over 80 times in the Quartered jersey over the last four years.
Symon’s route to professional rugby was a rarely-travelled one. First taking up the sport within the Saracens youth system from the age of five, he left the North London side to pursue a career in rowing, going on to take up a spot in the Great Britain rowing programme. A forearm injury prematurely ended Symon’s rowing ambitions, seeing the 6ft 7inch and 120kg lock return to rugby in 2011 to play professionally for Esher.
Impressing during his time in the Greene King IPA Championship, Symons opted to move to New Zealand, settling in Christchurch to play for Canterbury in the ITM Cup as a regular starter. The Harlow-born lock subsequently earned a full-time contract with two-time Super Rugby champions the Chiefs, who he would go on to captain before his eventual return to England in 2015.
As he retires this summer, Symons will transition into a new role in commercial real estate with Jones Lang LaSalle in central London.
Director of Rugby Performance Billy Millard said: “Matt has been an absolute warrior for the Club since he joined us four years ago. He is one of rugby’s good guys and was instrumental to our Premiership win last season. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with the big man.
“We wish him nothing but the absolute best as he transitions into his new role in the city at the end of the season and we look forward to a few more months of working together at the business end of our campaign before he retires.”
Commenting, Symons said: “I think there comes a natural time for every rugby player to hang up their boots, and I feel fortunate to be able to make that decision on my own terms.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given through professional rugby. It has given me the chance to live out a childhood dream and meet some fantastic people. I’m now really excited to shift into a new working environment, where I can hopefully add value using some of the skills developed through elite sport.
“Winning the Premiership here with Harlequins last season is my most cherished rugby memory. Overall, from the journey to New Zealand and finishing up back in London, I’ve been very lucky.
“Thank you to everyone that played a part, however small, in my career. A special mention must go to my wife (Tash) and mum (Sharon) for their unwavering support.
“I’m grateful to be able to put my all into the remainder of the Premiership season here at Quins with a title defence on the line.
“This is a special group that can and has done incredible things. I’m glad to be able to push for one more trophy before I bow out.” -
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Sad to hear, but not unexpected. Best wishes for him in his future career.
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Sad news, but it has been on the cards and predicted for a while. He has been an awesome signing and been an underrated part of the success we’ve had.
Feels like some big recruitment is needed in the 2nd row department as our two key starters for the last few months (Symo and Tiz) leaving and Lewies is very injury prone… think we need two top players to come in with this in mind -
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Sad news, but it has been on the cards and predicted for a while. He has been an awesome signing and been an underrated part of the success we’ve had.
Feels like some big recruitment is needed in the 2nd row department as our two key starters for the last few months (Symo and Tiz) leaving and Lewies is very injury prone… think we need two top players to come in with this in mind
You can think it, but with the cap where it is next season I think you will be disappointed. The club normally holds a couple of big name signings back for season ticket renewal time, but it would be very unusual to announce one after the renewal campaign has launched (and is full up...).
My expectation is that Dino, Hammond and Jurevicius will step up to play alongside Lewies, and Christian Scotland-Williamson will also make his presence felt next year. From what we have seen of the first three this year, they are ready to make the transition. -
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Sad news, but it has been on the cards and predicted for a while. He has been an awesome signing and been an underrated part of the success we’ve had.
There is rumour of Irné Herbst joining
Feels like some big recruitment is needed in the 2nd row department as our two key starters for the last few months (Symo and Tiz) leaving and Lewies is very injury prone… think we need two top players to come in with this in mind
(South African 197cm + 117kg from Benneton) -
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Not unexpected but a shame. He's younger than I thought - fairly young to be retiring, but makes sense to go out on your own terms. Glad to hear he's got a new career lined up already.
A very underrated part of our success
Sounds like he's had a pretty interesting career too.
Wish him all the best -
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In other news it's just been announced Tom Youngs is retiring with immediate effect.
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32 is very young to retire. Glad he goes out on a high. We'll miss him.
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What a warrior. He has really stepped up in the past two or three seasons. We have had the likes of Horwill, but no one has managed to fill Oli Kolns boots. His work around the field, tackling the big men, hitting rucks etc...will be missed.
Scott Williams hopefully will step up next season, he looks a great prospect and it is good that the club is tacking their time with him, hopefully that will prove to be a great move for next season. -
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Not surprised but still a bit gutted. A proper unsung hero who has been a massive part of our recent success.
Hopefully he’s fired up for one last trophy before he rides off into the sunset. -
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In other news it's just been announced Tom Youngs is retiring with immediate effect.
That is sad and no doubt due to his wife’s illness and young children. All the very best to him as well. -
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gutted but good luck Symo in the new career
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That’s rubbish news. Love Symons and wish him well but going to sulk for a bit now.
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You can think it, but with the cap where it is next season I think you will be disappointed. The club normally holds a couple of big name signings back for season ticket renewal time, but it would be very unusual to announce one after the renewal campaign has launched (and is full up...).
My expectation is that Dino, Hammond and Jurevicius will step up to play alongside Lewies, and Christian Scotland-Williamson will also make his presence felt next year. From what we have seen of the first three this year, they are ready to make the transition.
I think one signing at least is a necessity. Since round 12 (2nd Jan) Symons and Tizard as a pairing have started every prem game for us, and there’s only been 2 games all season when neither of them started (Irish home, Tigers away).
That’s some serious consistency and durability to be losing. Lewies and Lamb have had injury troubles, and Hammond and Jurevicus have mostly featured in the back row and are a fair bit lighter than both Symons and Tizard. CSW could come in and fill that Symons role but we’re yet to see him in the prem and there has to be a reason for that.
Losing your 2 heaviest and most available locks and not replacing them would be a disaster -
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I think one signing at least is a necessity. Since round 12 (2nd Jan) Symons and Tizard as a pairing have started every prem game for us, and there’s only been 2 games all season when neither of them started (Irish home, Tigers away).
That’s some serious consistency and durability to be losing. Lewies and Lamb have had injury troubles, and Hammond and Jurevicus have mostly featured in the back row and are a fair bit lighter than both Symons and Tizard. CSW could come in and fill that Symons role but we’re yet to see him in the prem and there has to be a reason for that.
Losing your 2 heaviest and most available locks and not replacing them would be a disaster
Dino Lamb was in Lounge on Saturday hoping to be back mid May -
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