With 12 long years having passed since the tourists last came to Australia and lost 2-1, a selfish star may have considered prolonging a career to experience something so rare, so unique on home soil.
But just as Ponting bowed out from Test cricket two days after Sharpe’s farewell match, the 35-year-old was selfless when he quit and will now be helping the Wallabies tame the Lions from behind the scenes as a forwards coach.
And the former Queensland Reds and Western Force lock admits: “We went to camp on Sunday and the feelings came out, ‘gee wouldn’t it be nice to be wearing a training shirt instead of a coaches’ shirt?’ But it’s just the way it is. I was very lucky to have the career I had. There’s no regrets.
“I never imagined I’d get to this stage. I would have loved to have played the Lions, but another season of Super 15 rugby would have been a stretch because you know when you get to that point that it’s time to stop.
“It’s a really difficult decision for any athlete to make. It’s either six months too early or six months too late, you have to be lucky to get it just right.
“One of the things I always wanted to say was I went out on my own terms. A lot of my close mates have had to retire through injury or non-selection and you know, I pushed the last year, delayed quitting, and there’s other challenges in life that I wanted to get involved in. I couldn’t have been any prouder of what I achieved with my country.”
He will be just as proud to help plot the downfall of Warren Gatland’s men from the sidelines as he told Sport360°: “This series is just huge. I think a lot of people who weren’t into rugby union are jumping the fence and getting involved. It’s more than just a game, it’s more about the pride of a nation.
“I’ve talked to guys I played with, like Steve Larkham who played in the 2001 series, and ones who won the World Cup in 1999. They were just blown away by the first Test in Brisbane back then, the jerseys everywhere, the intensity of the battles and collisions. It took time for them to find their feet, but they did and it was a special series.
“This current team knows they can win, and if they play well they will win. It’s a pretty strong Lions side coming here, though, and they will have the same belief.
“At the end of the day it’s going to come down to who wants it more and who has the right attitude.”
It could also take a moment of genius to shape the outcome – something like Jonny Wilkinson’s extra-time drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final that provided Sharpe with his worst feeling in the green and gold.
As talk of the veteran England fly-half being called up for the Lions as an injury replacement continues, despite the veteran fly-half being sidelined for the next fortnight due to a groin injury, so does the prospect of him being the scourge of the Wallabies again.
“If the same thing happens it would be fairly righteous, but a lot has got to happen before it comes to the point where the series hangs in the balance of a Jonny Wilkinson drop kick,” says Sharpe.
“He’s got to get in the squad first. Jonny’s a great player, but it doesn’t matter if he comes in, the guys have just got to deal with him.
“But I don’t want to go through that with Jonny again. There’s going to be enough emotion without that sort of pain.
“When we beat the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup semi-final, when no one gave us a chance, that was a great highlight for me.
“But the final against England was a massive low. We came so close and at the time you don’t realise the magnitude of losing that opportunity. That’s something that will stay with me until the day I die.”
Strength in numbers
And, despite enduring mixed fortunes under the leadership of Robbie Deans and injury concerns with key forwards David Pocock and Sitaleki Timani out, Sharpe believes the Wallabies still have the talent to deny the Lions a first series win since 1997.
They could yet include Quade Cooper, the controversial and flamboyant fly-half who is not in the initial training squad, but still has the chance to force his way into the side before the first Test on June 22 in Brisbane.
Cooper captains Queensland today against the Lions at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, presenting himself with a genuine chance to win over a sceptical Deans.
“He’s that mercurial player isn’t he and can do things that 99.9 per cent of the population can’t do,” adds Sharpe. “It’s a wonderful asset to have in your team. If he gets in the squad and onto the field then I’m sure the Lions will be very wary of him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s involved at some stage. But there’s a lot of quality there and players coming into form.
“Michael Hooper is a guy who had an outstanding last year and he’s going to be sensational. In the backline, Israel Folao will put lots of pressure on the Lions – he’s big, strong and a mentally tough guy. There’s James O’Connor and you’ve got Will Genia, James Horwill and Stephen Moore too.
“I think this series takes them above and beyond anything that has happened before. The past, or any criticism won’t matter.
“Going into the camp you could see the focus and intensity of these players and there’s something different about playing against the Lions. They are ready for this.”
THE SHARPE END
Born: Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia on February 26, 1978.
Super Rugby: Queensland Reds (below) 1999-2005. Western Force 2006-2012
Tests: Australia 2002-2012 (116 caps; 40 points)
Hero: John Eales, and I was lucky to have played with him too.
Best player faced: In Test matches it would be Victor Matfield, best lineout around the world.
Best played with: Stephen Larkham.
Other sportsman admired: I’ve always thought highly of Pat Rafter and Adam Gilchrist – those types of Australians who had great character under pressure.
Hobbies: I’m still working, but I’ll be getting some fishing in.
Nathan Sharpe is a spokesperson for HSBC, proud Principal Partner to the 2013 British & Irish Lions on their Tour to Australia. Follow the Lions’ Legendary Journey with HSBC’s interactive YouTube experience at www.youtube.com/LionsHSBC
READ MORE:
– INTERVIEW: Ex-Lions back Gatland’s men to snap Australia losing run
– INTERVIEW: Eddie Jones warns Lions of Australia’s ‘golden age’
– Dafyyd James column: Great win but hard work starts now for the Lions
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