Frustration for Fourie after being forced to quit early

The former Leeds Carnegie and Rotherham Titans flanker yesterday finally admitted defeat against a long-running shoulder problem which plagued him for almost two years and effectively ruined his move to Sale Sharks.

A third major operation had still failed to cure the problem and left Fourie, 33, fearing he may not even be able to hold aloft his 14-month son let alone tear into opponents in the inimitable style for which he had become renowned.

It was a sad way to end for one of rugby union’s most likeable characters – endearingly nicknamed ‘Shrek’ after the ogre in the famous movie – who arrived here from South Africa in 2005.

After impressing with Rotherham in National One, he moved on to rivals Leeds when they reached the Premiership two years later and proved so influential there that he won his first England cap at the age of 31.

Fourie featured eight times for his adopted country but injury scuppered his chance of appearing at the 2011 World Cup and his last cap was against Ireland in the Six Nations earlier that year.

It is ironic that at a time when England have been crying out for a true openside – former Leeds team-mate Rob Rawlinson yesterday described him as “one of the best natural 7s the Premiership has seen” – he has been constantly sidelined and unavailable to Red Rose boss Stuart Lancaster, his former coach at Headingley.

“That’s probably the only thing that is really heartbreaking for me,” Fourie told the Yorkshire Post.

“Retiring wasn’t that big a shock. I wanted to go on but knew one bad knock might mean I would need a shoulder replacement and not even be able to pick my kid up.

“I have some great memories and have loved my time over here but not getting another chance to see if I could get in that England side is really disappointing.

“When they are lacking a really good No 7 I know I could have given it a shot.

“If I wasn’t good enough, fair enough, but to not get that opportunity because of injury is so frustrating.

“Playing my first Test against the All Blacks (in 2010), feeling those nerves I’ve never ever felt before a big match, and then playing against South Africa are things I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

“I can’t complain, though. There are loads of players having to retire due to injury now, it’s just the nature of the game.

“It’s got more physical and we’ve seen Lewis Moody and Tom Rees – both No 7s – retire because of shoulder injuries.

“It shows the rigours of the game now and being a No 7 is really hard. Rees had to retire at 27 and he was being hailed as one of the great England captains of the future so it shows how things can go.”

Fourie cites fellow South African Andre Bester as a major influence on his career, his first coach when arriving at Rotherham.

“He was a big part of my development in the UK, helping me to get used to being professional here with training and also working on tactics,” he added.

“But Stuart Lancaster, Simon Middleton, Neil Back and Andy Key at Leeds all helped me a lot too and then Martin Johnson giving me the opportunity to play for England.

“I’ve not had much chance to work with the guys at Sale because of all these injuries but they’ve been so supportive too.”

The Sharks could certainly have done with his marauding presence as they attempt to fight clear from the bottom of the Premiership.

Perhaps some of Fourie’s finest moments came in Leeds colours when he helped them do just the same in 2009-10, a series of inspiring displays also earning him a place in the Premiership XV of the Year.

“That run where we won three games on the bounce against Saracens, Wasps and London Irish – the best Leeds had had in any Premiership season – was a real highlight,” he recalled.

“I actually missed the last one against Worcester after getting injured in the warm-up but to help Carnegie stay up was one of my biggest achievements.”

A powerful ball-carrier and ferocious defender, Fourie made 71 appearances and scored 19 tries for Leeds where he was club player of the year in three of his four seasons.

But he had been similarly influential with Rotherham reaping 25 tries in 52 games and proving too dominant a force for anyone in National One. It was no surprise, after Leeds’s relegation in 2011, that the big guns came looking for his services and, with an eye on continuing that England recognition, he joined Sale.

Unfortunately, though, due to a pectoral injury and his debilitating shoulder problem, he was limited to just three appearances for the Cheshire club and has not played since last February.

Lancaster was one of many to pay their own tributes yesterday saying: “Andre Bester did a great job in identifying and developing Hendre at Rotherham and when I signed him for Leeds he proved to be an outstanding player, showing that by rising to achieve full England honours.

“I am sure that he will go on to be successful in life because he is a real competitor and a winner.”

That next chapter could be a switch to education, with Fourie looking to follow Lancaster’s previous career.

He only has two months remaining on his visa so he will soon be returning home to South Africa where he intends to seek a teaching role in Bloemfontein.

“I did a teaching degree at Sheffield Hallam University so that’s something I’m thinking about and then maybe get into some coaching from there,” he said.

“My coaching’s not as good as my playing, though; I’ve still got a bit to learn.”

Sale have signed ex-All Black Daniel Braid as his replacement.

As Fourie became the latest player forced to retire early due to injury, he urged younger players to do all they can to avoid long-term damage to their bodies.

“Looking back, if I could start again, I’d certainly have done more on my core strength,” said the ex-Leeds Carnegie and Rotherham Titans flanker.

“You have to make yourself as strong as possible all over and that includes strengthening the smaller muscles in your shoulder to give the joint better support.

“It’s not just about hammering away in the gym and getting big.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop players suffering injuries – you can still get injured just by falling awkwardly – but working on the core will help avoid it.”