Croft set to end his rugby craft

David Croft: 'My heart's not in it'

Reds and former Australia flanker David Croft will retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2008 season.

Croft, who has played 114 matches for Queensland, including 92 consecutive Super Rugby games since 2001, still had one year left to run on his contract.

Croft said there was no better time to retire because of the good crop of young players coming through at the Reds.

"I would be doing Queensland Rugby, my team-mates and myself a disservice by playing on if my heart's not in it," Croft said.

"For me, it's either all or nothing.

"I believe it's much better making that decision now and giving the Reds time before next season, to free up funds to recruit new players.

"Money is not my motivation for playing. I'm 29, I've completely devoted myself to playing professional rugby for more than 10 seasons. I just want to do something different."

Croft said that he first started thinking about his future more than a year ago, but he had put on hold the thought of retirement after the Reds' dismal 2007 season.

"I didn't want to leave the Reds in that position and I still believed that I could help their cause," he said.

"It's not in my nature to leave a sinking ship. I wanted to get to the point where I could see light at the end of the tunnel and I think that we are there now.

"The team means everything to me. Their well-being has always been my focus. Fronting them last night and informing them of my decision was possibly the toughest thing I've had to do."

Croft earned five Test caps after making his debut against Argentina in 2002.

"I have been given the privilege of representing my state in over 110 games and my country at the highest level, and I am happy to leave with no regrets," he said.