Former Wallabies centre Anthony Fainga’a has announced his retirement from all rugby after being affected by concussion.

The 32-year-old, who played 23 Tests for Australia between 2010 and 2012, has most recently been playing in Japan for the Kintetsu Liners.

Speaking on Fox Sports News, Fainga’a explained his decision to step away for the game after multiple head knocks, and shared some scary stories regarding his injuries.

‘I’m probably only one more head knock away from being a vegetable or not being able to play with my kids,’ Fainga’a said. ‘After a couple of really big head knocks, I had to make a big decision.

‘In 2016, my twin brother [fellow former Wallabies hooker Saia] got married, and at the altar I was actually getting held up because of the head knocks. I received a couple of really big head knocks over my career and I was standing at the altar getting held up, I got walked out by someone.

‘I got a few head knocks last year and after all these head knocks I had to make a decision, make a choice about what I wanted to do with my future.’

Fainga’a is the most recent high-profile player to be forced out of the game after former Springbok flyhalves Pat Lambie and Peter Grant also retired due to concussions.

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