Australia’s men’s rugby sevens captain and three-time Olympian, Nick Malouf, has announced his retirement following the conclusion of the Paris Games. At 31 years old, Malouf has participated in 61 World Series tournaments, scoring 82 tries and amassing 410 points. His retirement announcement was made through a statement from Rugby Australia.
Originally a flanker with the University of Queensland, Malouf joined the Australian sevens program in 2012 and made his debut at the Dubai World Series tournament. He became a mainstay on the team over the next three years and bravely overcame a serious knee injury in 2015.
Malouf’s Olympic journey began in 2016, where he helped Australia reach the quarterfinals in Rio. He then played a season with the Leicester Tigers in England before returning to the sevens team. Malouf captained Australia during his second Olympic appearance in Tokyo in 2021, where the team also fell in the quarterfinals.
In his third Olympic campaign in Paris, he once more led Australia to the semifinals, a first for the team, although they lost 31-7 to Fiji, the two-time defending champions, who ultimately lost the gold medal match to France.
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.”
Australia’s sevens coach John Manenti praised Malouf as an “amazing leader,” noting his success as the most accomplished Australian men’s sevens captain in terms of World Series victories, tournament wins, and Olympic performances. “But most of all he’s a great man, and we wish him every success in the business world,” Manenti added.