Ex-England lock George Kruis explains retirement at 32 and post-career plans

02/22/2022

George Kruis will hang up his boots later this year after the ex- England and Saracens lock announced the current Japan Rugby League One campaign will be his last.

The Guildford-born giant won four Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups during an 11-year stay with Sarries before he joined Saitama Wild Knights (formerly Panasonic Wild Knights) in 2020.

Rumours emerged suggesting Kruis would return to England and compete to regain his place among Eddie Jones ' squad in time to potentially feature at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

However, Kruis used his 32nd birthday (which he celebrated on Tuesday) as an opportunity to confirm his retirement as he looks to focus on his supplement and wellness brand, fourfive.

Kruis founded the company alongside ex- Wales lock and former team-mate Dominic Day, with the pair recently announcing a partnership with their former employers, Saracens.

"I can only summarise the last 14 years as the most ridiculous journey packed full of memories and friendships," he wrote via Twitter. "There as so many that I am thankful to for the support over the years, you will know who you are.

"I am massively grateful to be able to retire on my own terms and thankful for the efforts of Saracens, England Rugby, Panasonic Wild Knights and the Rugby Players' Association for not only the amazing journey but for pushing the importance of developing off field.

"Thank you to those who have not only supported my journey but who continue to support my new chapter with fourfive. I am unbelievably grateful."

Would George Kruis have made your World Cup squad if he kept playing? Let us know in the comments section.

Many England fans will have been looking forward to the prospect of Kruis returning to the squad in time for next year's World Cup, a fitting stage for a potential send-off.

Kruis earned 45 England caps in a little more than five years and was also capped once by the British and Irish Lions, featuring in the sole defeat to New Zealand during their 2017 tour.

The 6'6" star was part of the squad that finished as World Cup runners-up to South Africa in Japan almost three years ago and once reigned as an industry leader in his position.

He told The Times that while he "wouldn’t play for another UK club apart from Sarries" and that the two parties had held talks, his booming business life now demands more of his attention.

“I’ve taken a few months thinking this over," Kruis revealed. "I’ve been very lucky to still have some really good offers on the table, whether it’s in Japan or some clubs back home, but I need to cut my career short as there’s such an opportunity off-field.

“Dom [Day] has had to go full-time, and we’ve got seven employees. It’s now dragging me out of rugby, and needs my 100 per cent attention. I’m someone who needs to be committed fully. I’m improving, growing, and moving back to the UK or staying in Japan to take another contract, I just wouldn’t be able to give it 100 per cent.”

Along with his considerable achievements at club level, Kruis also played a prominent role in England's Six Nations title wins in 2016 and 2020, clinching a Grand Slam in the former.

There's every chance he could have added to that haul if he chose to see out the remainder of his prime playing years, but Kruis is eager to throw himself into the next chapter of his life.

His motivation to advance fourfive in his post-playing career goes beyond enterprise, however, as he added: “It ties back to creating something more than a business, challenging myself personally to be more than an international athlete.

“I don’t want that to be the only thing I talk about at a dinner table.”

Kruis will hope to sign off his career with a Japanese league title with Wild Knights, who currently sit second in their conference in the top division of Rugby League One.

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