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One of Canada’s most loyal rugby servants is hanging up the boots. Adam Kleeberger has called time on his career at the age of 31, a decade after making his national team debut against France in 2005. The last of his 38 international caps came against Japan in June of last year, though he also made the trip to Fiji to play in the Pacific Challenge with Canada ‘A’ just four months ago.
The flanker made his name as a skilled and versatile player, as comfortable with ball in hand as he was in the bottom of a ruck. Certainly his most memorable performances came in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand where he was part of the famous ‘Beardos’, but it was his fearless play on the pitch that captured the attention of the rugby world. Sadly his commitment saw him a frequent visitor to the treatment table, and injuries restricted him to only three test appearances since that tournament.
Kleeberger had returned to full fitness enough to take part in the recent CRC tournament with the Bears, but it was clear that the damage had taken its toll. “I didn’t want to go to the Pacific Nations Cup and just make up the numbers,” he told Rugby Canada, “I wanted to strive to make the team better.”
Despite his relatively young age, the Alberta native has achieved more than most in rugby, listing professional experience with Rotherham, London Scottish, and Auckland, as well as two World Cups, the Commonwealth Games, and the World Sevens Series. He also has a Kinesiology degree from the University of Victoria, and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Kleeberger is the second 2011 World Cup veteran to retire this year, following hooker Ryan Hamilton’s decision to step away in April.
