Pichot calls time on his career
Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:25
Thanks for the memories: Retired Puma scrumhalf Agustin Pichot
Former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot has decided to quit international rugby and will not tour with the side when they play World Cup holders South Africa in Johannesburg on August 9.
Pichot, who captained the Pumas team which finished third at the World Cup last year, said he no longer felt he could handle the physical nature of international rugby.
"This week, I spoke to my wife and family and decided I would not play against South Africa," he said in an interview on the Argentine ESPN sports channel.
"I am not in the right physical or psychological state to face this game."
"I spoke to Tati [coach Santiago Phelan] and we agreed that to play for the national team you have to be 100 percent. If not, you're no use," he added.
"I thought it would be disrespectful to the shirt to carry on," added the 33-year-old, who won 72 caps for Argentina.
"I felt that something was missing, that I wasn't right. I would have been letting myself, my family and the lads down."
