Bill Young, the second most capped prop in Wallabies history, officially hung up his boots on Thursday, but not before declaring the troubled Australian scrum was in safe hands.

The 32-year-old loosehead prop, who'd notched up 46 Tests for Australia and 100 Super games for the ACT Brumbies, was forced to end his career after a chronic neck injury began effecting his left arm.

Young had sought medical advice after experiencing numbness in his left hand and arm, with doctors telling him that if he didn't have his neck injury corrected, he could end up with a permanent disability in his left hand.

He had played through the 2006 Super 14 series with the troubling neck injury, but after a third doctor warned him against playing Young said it was time to call it quits.

Young will now undergo surgery to correct nerve damage in his neck.

While disappointed to bring his career to an end - he had hoped to play a part in the 2007 World Cup - Young said he was blessed to have had six years with the Wallabies and ten with the Brumbies.

"I've certainly been blessed in a lot of ways, until the end," he said.

"I've only had a few major injuries throughout my career. It's been a great ride and privilege and an honour to be involved with the Wallabies and the Brumbies."

Young leaves the game as the second most capped prop in Australian rugby history, finishing six Tests behind NSW Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie.

He featured heavily in the Wallabies 2003 World Cup defence, where they eventually lost 20-17 to England in a thrilling final.

Young also holds two Super 12 championships medals, won with the Brumbies.

"Certainly it was the Brumbies' two Super 12 titles," Young said of his highlights.

"And with the Wallabies, certainly the World Cup. My greatest high was probably that game against New Zealand (the semi-final win) and the greatest low would have been the following week against England.

"That's football. A high, a low in two weeks, they are memorable times I'll take away."

Asked about the Wallabies current scrummaging woes, Young backed new props Guy Shepherdson, Greg Holmes and Rodney Blake, saying the front row would be in its prime come the 2007 World Cup.

He also predicted the fortunes of pair Shepherdson and Holmes would improve against the All Blacks next Saturday, despite being rolled by New Zealand in the first Test in Christchurch.

"That was the first taste of real international football as far as Tri Nations goes," he said.

"They'll be much better prepared for that, and I think you'll see a completely different result next weekend in Brisbane."

Young, often targeted by referees for scrummaging infringements particularly in recent years, couldn't help leaving without a light-hearted parting shot at the game's whistleblowers.

"I don't think the refs will miss me - they had it in for me in the end," Young said with a laugh.

"It's been an interesting ride with the referees. I still don't think they have any clue at scrum time. But I'm sure they're trying their best and have got a lot to think about."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP