Western Force coach Richard Graham admits the Super Rugby franchise will struggle to replace Scott Staniforth after the former Wallabies back retired on Wednesday due to a serious neck injury.

Staniforth, who sustained the disc injury while training for WA side Associates in August, had little choice but to give up the game after being advised by two separate specialists he risked long-term damage if he played on.

The 32-year-old has now injured three discs in his neck and may need to undergo surgery early next year if the pain doesn't subside.

Graham said Staniforth, who notched 106 Super rugby games and 12 appearances for the Wallabies during his glittering career, would be almost impossible to replace given most players were now locked away in contracts.

"We are looking all around the world at the moment," Graham said.

"At this time of year your options are limited but it's important we get the very best player available.

"If we can get a guy who's played 106 games of Super rugby and 20 Tests, we'll be doing outstandingly well. "At this time of the year it's unlikely.

"We've got some irons in the fire but we need to work hard over the next few weeks to see who we can secure." Staniforth was plagued by injuries during the second half of his career, cutting short his various stints with the Wallabies.

The versatile back started his career in NSW and notched 61 appearances for the Waratahs before moving to the Force for their inaugural season in 2006.

Staniforth notched 45 appearances for the Force and holds the franchise's record for most tries in a season (nine in 2006) and sits second on the Force's all-time tries list (18).

The fan favourite, who had a brief playing stint in Japan before returning to the Force midway through last season, said he wanted to play on in 2011 but was left with little choice in the end.

"I went and saw two specialists and they said 'look, that's your third disk issue you've got now and you're best not to be playing contact sport'," Staniforth said.

"I thought I had the option of having an operation to get myself right for next year, but unfortunately they took the decision out of my hands, and it's probably a relief in a way.

"It is a little bit emotional, it's what you've known for the last 14 years.

"The 1999 World Cup was definitely a highlight and it was great to have been right there during the transformation of the game.

"I started out playing alongside the likes of Phil Kearns and Tim Horan and finished off with emerging stars in David Pocock and James O'Connor to name a few."

Staniforth, a marketing manager at Karma Resorts, said he would consider taking up a mentoring role at the Force.

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