Ex-All Black nicknamed 'The Hacksaw' calls time at 37

Former All Black Sam Tuitupou has finally decided to quit rugby at 37-years-old and set up his own player agency.

Tuitupou won the U19 and U21 World Cups as a junior All Black and then took his power running into the professional game-winning nine New Zealand caps between 2004 and 2006.

He won two Air New Zealand Cups with Auckland and played Super Rugby with the Chiefs and Blues before heading to Worcester, Munster and Sale where he captained the club. In 2017 he joined Coventry helping them gain promotion to the English Championship.

Now, Tuitupou believes it is time to hang up his boots and revealed that when he was growing up he hoped to play for Tonga before landing success with the All Blacks.

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He said: “The goal for me had always been to continue to around 40 so I could play with my boys but the time has come. This also means I can go out on my own terms while the body still has the capability to play. I’ve sacrificed a lot over the years so now it’s time to give back to my seven kids and my wife.

“I enjoyed playing in New Zealand where I was brought up, but I’ve played most of my career in England where I made lots of memories and friends that I will keep for life so that is home now. I always thought I would play for Tonga, as that is my heritage, but representing the All Blacks was massive for me and my family and is something I will always treasure.

“I was very lucky to play for some great clubs in Europe in Worcester, Munster and Sale then being part of a championship win at Coventry – the first since my Auckland days – was very special. I’m going to be starting up my own player agency which will keep me in the rugby environment – although it will take some time to get used to not being around the boys.”