Richie McCaw's long-time Australian opposite George Smith has retired from international rugby, effective immediately.
Smith says a desire to spend more time with his young family was behind his decision to call time on his 110-Test career.
The 29-year-old Wallabies flanker's gained a release from his Australian Rugby Union contract and this year's Super 14 season is expected to be his last at the Brumbies.
Smith's regarded as one of the finest players to have pulled on the No.7 jumper for the Wallabies, twice winning the John Eales Medal.
But he's been under increasing pressure to hold onto a starting spot in the Wallabies lineup following the emergence of young gun David Pocock.
The Western Force backrower was preferred to Smith for the bigger matches during last year's Spring tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Smith, who played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups for Australia, made his international debut in 2000.
