Australian Wallabies captain Ben Mowen spent a decade chasing his rugby union dreams around the world, but missing his daughter's birthday and first steps convinced him it was time to put his family first.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mowen, also the ACT Brumbies skipper, shocked Australian rugby on Thursday, announcing he will quit at the end of 2014 to move to France.
It's a stunning decision a year before the pinnacle of international rugby, the World Cup.
But Mowen wants to spend more time with wife Lauren and daughter Eleanor after spending seven of the past 12 months on the road. Mowen, 29, was in camp with the Wallabies for Eleanor's first birthday. Instead of a party, Lauren drove to Sydney with Eleanor to see Mowen for just 10 minutes.
''I missed her starting to talk, I was in camp for Ellie's first birthday ... the little things add up,'' Mowen said. ''Every time you see her she's a different girl; I don't want to miss those things.
''I gave the game in Australian a good 10 years and I gave it everything I had. But having family now, it makes me realise I have to put them first because for a long time they've been putting me first and it's time to repay that.''
Mowen joins a sensational list of departures at the Brumbies - including World Cup-winning coach Jake White and chief executive Andrew Fagan - following their outstanding 2013 season.
Walking away from the chance to lead his country to a World Cup caused confusion and shocked most on Thursday.
Mowen made his Test debut seven months ago, was made captain in November and won five of his six Tests as skipper.
Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns suggested Mowen's decision was based on Australia welcoming back a host of back-row stars next year, which would cloud his spot in the team and create an uncertain future.
Others said Mowen was enticed by cashed-up European deals or he decided to leave because of rumoured player discontent in the Wallabies camp.
Mowen says it's time to make his family his No.1 priority. Just 12 months ago Lauren convinced Mowen to stay in Australia for ''one last crack'' to chase his Wallabies dream instead of moving to Japan.
''I'm immensely proud of his achievements; it was hard not having him there for those special moments,'' Lauren said.
''Ben doesn't need to repay us for anything. It's lovely, but he's a great husband and a great dad ... he achieved a lot of his personal goals last year so I'm proud of his efforts.''
Mowen had been negotiating a contract with the Australian Rugby Union, but stopped talks when he decided to move to France.
Despite being the Wallabies captain, Mowen was only being paid per game and it's likely he has played his last Test for the Wallabies.
Mowen will retain the Brumbies captaincy this year before moving abroad. ''I am probably the first [Wallabies captain to be in this situation], but I'm also probably the first bloke to make his Test debut at 28 and retire at 29.
''It was short and sweet for a Test career. It's a hard decision. It took months, but I'm comfortable where I've come to and I'm proud of the contribution I've made.
''I'm hungrier than ever for success, I've got a massive debt to repay the Brumbies and Canberra and I want to leave with a championship.''