Wallabies fullback Chris Latham declared there should be no room for sentimentality after injury today effectively brought an end to his Test career.
Latham conceded he'd played the last of his 78 Tests for Australia after scans confirmed the Queensland great had torn the pectoral muscle from the bone against the Crusaders on Saturday night.
The England-bound 32-year-old is now facing surgery and three to four months rehabilitation before playing again.
The length of return depends whether surgeons can sew the muscle or be forced to insert a screw into the shoulder but Latham can't see the point of new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans picking him for a farewell Tri-Nations Test.
A best possible three-month recovery could have him in contention for Australia's last three Tests against the Springboks in South Africa on August 23 and 30 and New Zealand in Brisbane on September 13.
With a month's worth of club football behind him, Latham could conceivably be fit and ready for a richly-deserved swansong against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.
His home fans have already been denied the chance to farewell him with the injury robbing Queensland of their best player and major drawcard for Saturday night's Super 14 grudge match against NSW.
But a circumspect Latham effectively ruled out such a scenario.
"To be honest, I'd like to (be considered for selection), but I don't see why they'd bother," he said.
"I could probably make it back for one Test (but) there's no use for that.
"They (the Wallabies) need to move on and obviously there'll be people playing in between now and then and I really hope they get good form and they stay there and start performing.
"If that's the case there's not much use wheeling me out again."
Latham's injury, his second long-term blow in two seasons after undergoing a knee reconstruction in early 2007, has left Cameron Shepherd and Mark Gerrard as the major candidates for the No.15 jersey.
While he has 119 state caps, the last-round showdown against NSW was to be the Narrabri-raised former Waratah's 100th Super rugby match for the Reds.
"I can't be filthy at anything," he said. "I've played over 100 games for Queensland and 70-odd Tests for Australia and that's a pretty privileged life.
"I honestly went to play with Randwick (as a teenager) to get out of a country town to meet people to get out on the piss with and have a good time.
"I don't at all feel ripped off. A little bit disappointed that it had to end this way. I would have cherished running out on Saturday night but it's not meant to be, so move on."
Latham will now play out his career with English club Worcester.
"It's a shame it's over but I've got things to look forward to," he said. "I've got another three years overseas.
"It's something I'm looking forward to. My rugby's not over."
Waratahs skipper and long-time Wallabies teammate Phil Waugh said NSW were also disappointed they wouldn't have one last match against the passionate Reds spearhead.
"It is a shame for Chris and a shame for us in a way not to be able to face up against him in his last game for Queensland," Waugh said.
The Reds are set to bring prop Rodney Blake back from suspension but will know tomorrow whether injured France-bound halfback Sam Cordingley (calf) can turn out for his farewell.
Cordingley and rugged flanker Hugh McMeniman (ankle) will train with the team in a bid to play.