Australian men’s rugby sevens captain and three-time Olympian Nick Malouf has declared his retirement following the Paris Olympics. The 31-year-old, who participated in 61 World Series tournaments and scored 82 tries totaling 410 points, made the announcement through a Rugby Australia statement on Saturday.
Malouf began his career as a flanker with the University of Queensland before joining the Australian sevens program in 2012, making his debut at the Dubai World Series tournament. He became a regular member of the squad over the next three years and successfully recovered from a serious knee injury in 2015.
He represented Australia at his first Olympics in 2016, where the team reached the quarterfinals in Rio. Malouf then spent a season with the Leicester Tigers in England before returning to the sevens program. He captained Australia at his second Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, where the team again lost in the quarterfinals.
At his third Olympics in Paris, Malouf led Australia to the semifinals for the first time, where they were defeated 31-7 by two-time defending champion Fiji, who then lost to France in the gold medal match.
Reflecting on his career, Malouf said, “I could never have believed I’d be so lucky to enjoy the last 12 years playing the game I love in the company of such great people. Rugby has given me so much and I am so thankful. What a privilege it’s been.”
John Manenti, the Australia sevens coach, praised Malouf as an “amazing leader,” highlighting his contributions to the team and his success as the most accomplished Australian men’s sevens captain in terms of World Series and tournament victories, as well as Olympic performances. He added, “But most of all he’s a great man and we wish him every success in the business world.”