A shoulder injury has forced Sydney University Football Club’s Australian Sevens representative Ed Jenkins to retire from the game.
Jenkins, a product of SUFC’s Colts program in the 15-man format, first lined up in Australian Sevens ranks in 2008 and went on to captain his country at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Along the way, he became the first and only Australian to notch 50 Sevens caps, when he ran out in the Hong Kong leg of the World Sevens last year.
Jenkins, 31, will retire with 547 points from 52 tournament appearances, over a 10-year career that includes a Commonwealth Games silver medal from Delhi in 2010 and a bronze medal from Glasgow four years later.
After six seasons at the helm, Jenkins stepped down from leadership duties ahead of the 2016-17 Sevens World Series to allow a new generation to be ushered in.
“I’d like to say I came to the decision but I think it was the two surgeons that rammed it home to me that continuing to play wouldn’t be great for my health and wellbeing,” Jenkins said.
“I have loved Sevens and the aspect that you get to travel around the world with a small group of guys and get to know them really well. That’s something that I’ll miss, putting on that jersey and running out to a full house is something I’ll definitely miss.
“Looking back on it, the Commonwealth Games, medalling at both of them in 2010 and 2014 was special. I was hoping to get the other medal that’s missing on home soil this year but that’s not meant to be.
“The Olympics was very special and I’ve had a few Cup wins along the way, which will always stand out as great memories for me.”
Australian Men’s Sevens coach, Andy Friend said Jenkins had been a terrific servant of the game and has helped take Sevens to a new level in Australia.
“He’ll leave a lasting legacy, not only on the game but also with this current group of players. His mental toughness and professionalism are second to none. If our current group of young players mirror those traits, then our program will be in a very healthy position,” Friend said.
Jenkins will undergo shoulder surgery next month but won’t be entirely lost to Sevens. He is mooted to be taking up a post-Rugby role within Rugby Australia’s administration.
