Rugby: Waugh to retire, but has World Cup hopes

Phil Waugh. Photo / Getty Images

NSW Waratahs captain Phil Waugh has announced he will retire at the end of the 2011 rugby season, but is holding out hope of a Wallabies recall for the World Cup first.

The 31-year-old, who has 79 caps for the Wallabies, told a Sydney media conference today this would be his last season before he retires to begin a business career.

But he's hoping for a fairytale ending with his NSW Waratahs about to start their finals quest for a maiden Super rugby title and the Wallabies headed to the World Cup in New Zealand in October.

While he has been overlooked by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans in recent seasons, he still intends to push his test claims as strongly as possible.

Waugh made his debut in 1999 and has played a record 124 matches for his state in Super Rugby.

He trained with the Waratahs side in Sydney on Tuesday morning as they prepared for their finals clash with the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

- AAP