Australian Rugby Union today paid tribute to Qantas Wallabies and Emirates Western Force lock, Nathan Sharpe, following his decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season.

Sharpe, who is one of just five Qantas Wallabies to achieve the 100-Test caps milestone, today announced that while he would be available for national selection during the June Test window he would hang up his boots at all levels of the game at the end of the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season.

Breaking onto the scene in 1996 - the year Rugby turned professional - for the Australian U19 side, Sharpe spent the next three seasons as a permanent member of the Australian U21 side.

In 1998, at the age of 20, the 200cm Lock made his domestic Rugby debut for Queensland where he was partnered with former Qantas Wallabies and Queensland captain John Eales in the second row.

Appropriately, it was the current ARU board member who presented Sharpe with his jersey, on the occasion of his 100th Test appearance, which came during the Bronze Final against Wales at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year.

Following his debut, Sharpe spent the next eight season at the Reds, accumulating 70 caps for the Queenslanders before moving to the newly formed Western Force in 2006 as their inaugural captain.

During the 2011 FxPro Super Rugby season Sharpe surpassed George Gregan as the most capped Australian FxPro Super Rugby player when he stepped out for his 137th appearance during the Force's round six clash against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Sharpe's national duties in the iconic Gold jersey began in 2002 when he received his first call up to the Australian side and debuted against the French in Melbourne - a game which the Wallabies won 29-17.

Sharpe has since accumulated 101 Test caps including two as captain. He participated in three Rugby World Cup campaigns, won a Bledisloe Cup series in 2002, was voted the John Eales Medallist in 2007 and most recently was part of the Qantas Wallabies squad that secured Australia's first Castrol Edge Tri Nations title since 2001.

He is currently tied with legendary winger David Campese in terms of Test appearances, and will finish with just the two Georges: Gregan (139) and Smith (110) ahead of him, should he add to his tally during the June Tests against Scotland and Wales.

Just five players have featured in more Test-winning Australian sides than has Sharpe, who has shared in 61 wins from the 101 appearances for his country in Tests.

ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O'Neill AO, said the hard working second rower has been a true servant to the game and deserved to finish his career at State and national level on a high.

"Nathan has been one of this country's great players for more than a decade, he has never shied away from a contest and has given his all no matter if he was wearing a Queensland, Western Force or Qantas Wallabies jersey," Mr O'Neill said.

"The commitment he's shown and the work he has done both on and off the field at the Emirates Western Force has been commendable.

"Since moving to the West in 2006 to captain the side in their inaugural year he has quickly become one of the most iconic and recognisable faces in Western Australia, which has for a long time been a predominantly AFL dominated state.

"He has certainly helped the Force and Rugby build and create a profile in Perth.

"While there is still plenty of Rugby to be played between now and Nathan's last game later this year it is safe to say that come the final siren in that last game an era will end at the Force and to some extent in Australian Rugby.

"I wish Nathan all the best for the season hope he can finish his final season on a high."

Sharpe's decision to retire at the end of the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season will mean he will not be available for selection in The Castrol Edge Rugby Championship, which features the Qantas Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks and Argentina and kicks-off in August.

Reflecting on Sharpe's decision to hang up the boots come seasons end, Qantas Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, said there was more to Sharpe's story than impressive statistics.

"The statistics of his career on their own are impressive but they only tell a small part of the story," Deans said.

"For most, it is the quality of the man, his longevity and his dedication to the pursuit of excellence that will be recalled, long after he has hung up his boots for the final time."

Nathan Sharpe will have the chance to add to his impressive tally of FxPro Super Rugby caps on Friday 24 February when the Emirates Western Force kick-off their 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season against the University of Canberra Brumbies at Canberra Stadium.

Nathan Sharpe - The Story So Far:

Date and Place of Birth:

26 February 1978, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Position:

Lock

Height:

200cm

Weight:

115kg

Wallaby Number:

774

Wallaby Debut:

2002 v France, Melbourne

Wallaby Caps:

101 (2 as captain)

Wallaby Points:

35 (7-tries)

Super Rugby Debut:

1998 v Hurricanes (Queensland Reds)

FxPro Super Rugby Team:

Western Force (2006 - Present), 77 Caps

Previous FxPro Super Rugby Team:

Queensland Reds (1998 - 2005), 70 Caps

FxPro Super Rugby Caps:

147 Caps

FxPro Super Rugby Points:

30 (6-tries)

Representative Honours:

Australian Under 19s 1996, Australian Under 21s 1997-1999, Australian Wallabies 2002 - Present

Senior Tours:

2003 RWC (Aus), 2005 UK & France, 2006 UK, Ireland & Italy, 2007 RWC (France), 2008 Hong Kong & Europe, 2010 Hong Kong & Europe, 2011 RWC (New Zealand), 2011 England & Wales