Former Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund retires from rugby after neck injury
Former Māori All Blacks captain and Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has announced his retirement from professional rugby due to persistent neck injuries. The 32-year-old, who helped the Blues win the 2024 Super Rugby title, confirmed the decision on social media following medical advice.
Why it matters
The retirement of a high-profile athlete highlights the ongoing physical toll and long-term health risks associated with professional contact sports.
Former Māori All Blacks captain and Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has retired from rugby because of a neck injury.
The 32-year-old confirmed his decision in a social media post where he thanked everyone who had supported him.
“That’s all she wrote. I’ve been battling neck injuries for the past few years and I’ve been told it’s in my best interest to step away from the game, so that’s what I am going to do,” Eklund said in the post showing a montage of highlights.
Eklund appeared 75 times for the Blues and helped them win the 2024 Super Rugby title, while also appearing 53 times for Bay of Plenty and amassing 32 appearances for Auckland.
“If you’d told 10-year- old me that I’d be able to achieve all the things I’ve been able to, I would have thought you’d be joking,” he said.
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