LONDON - England full-back Jason Robinson shuffled off into retirement on Saturday at the Stade de France saying he felt like crying.
The 33-year-old World Cup winner from four years ago lasted only 46 minutes against South Africa before a shoulder injury forced him out of the battle.
He could only watch from the sidelines as England's dream of retaining the trophy died in a 15-6 defeat.
"I had not foreseen my career ending in such desolation," he said in his Mail on Sunday column.
"I am not a man given to self-pity, but I felt like crying as I walked off the field in agony from the shooting pain through my right shoulder. It was the loneliest walk I can remember."
Robinson, who made a stunning conversion from rugby league to become one of the world's most exciting players, said not even the standing ovation he received could ease the hurt.
"Nothing could wipe out that disappointment," he said. "After the euphoria of four years ago, this was a hard defeat to take. Ultimately we know we came up one match short.
"None of the important decisions went our way, but I have to say this is a very good South African team."
NO RETURN
Robinson was full of praise for his team mates, who defied the pundits to reach the final against all the odds.
"We came to France rubbished by everyone and his dog and were hammered 36-0 by South Africa in a pool game," he said.
"It's one thing to be beaten, it's humiliating to be 'nilled'.
"The squad is overloaded with experience, the commodity you can't buy. Everywhere around the team room you could see men you were proud to go into battle with."
Robinson was only talked out of international retirement in January by coach Brian Ashton, but this time he says there will be no going back.
"The guys have been giving me stick about retiring but I'll have the last laugh when the temperature has fallen below freezing and the grounds are like concrete," he said.
"I'll text them to tell them I'm sat in my slippers in front of a big fire, dipping a biscuit in my tea."
Sadly for Robinson, his career could not quite end in the fairytale manner.
"I would have said I was walking away from the game without any regrets - until last night," he said.
