default-output-block.skip-main
Sport | All Blacks

Ben Afeaki announces retirement following concussion

Today Ben Afeaki of Ngāti Awa announced that he will retire from all rugby due to medical reasons.

The 27-year-old prop suffered a concussion in February last year during a Super Rugby game and hasn't fully recovered since.

Afeaki has played 36 matches for the Chiefs.  He was also an All Black in 2013 and played eight matches for the Māori All Blacks.

He says one of the hardest things to do was to let his Chiefs team mates know the news.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says it's upsetting news. Dave has had a close bond with Ben when he first coached him in the NZ U20 side in 2008.

Ben is the first All Black to retire from concussion problems but his health is the priority.