Neck injury forces Maori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund into sudden retirement at 34

Kurt Eklund, the former Maori All Blacks captain and 82-cap Blues hooker, has retired from professional rugby at the age of 34 after being advised by medical staff that continuing to play posed too great a risk to his health. The New Zealander had not featured since round 14 of the Super Rugby Pacific season and made the announcement on Saturday, ahead of Bay of Plenty’s final NPC round-robin fixture.

“I’ve been battling neck injuries for the past few years, and I’ve been told that it’s in my best interest to step away from the game,” Eklund wrote in a post shared to social media. “So that’s what I’m going to do. Kurtye signing out.”

Eklund was a central figure in the Blues’ dominant 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title-winning campaign, a run of form that earned him an All Blacks XV call-up and further Maori All Blacks recognition before he was handed the captaincy of the latter side in 2025. A 50-cap Bay of Plenty Steamer, the hooker was widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities in every team environment he entered.

His departure from the Blues had already been confirmed earlier this year, with Eklund set to join the Canon Eagles in Japan under head coach Leon MacDonald. He was due to arrive in Kanagawa alongside fellow former All Blacks Stephen Perofeta and Samipeni Finau, but the neck injury ultimately ended those plans before they could begin.

The tributes from within the game were swift and heartfelt. Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane called Eklund a “top man”, while Du’Plessis Kirifi described him as “one of the greats”. Ruben Love recalled Eklund making him feel welcome on his first day in the Maori All Blacks camp in 2022, writing: “Will never forget. Respect bro!”

Close friend and Bay of Plenty teammate Naitoa Ah Kuoi dedicated an Instagram post to Eklund’s career, writing: “He led, we followed. One of the best teammates I’ve ever had that I’ll forever call my brother. Always brought the best out of everyone and was always willing to give whatever it takes to help. I’m gutted your rugby journey’s been cut short, but I’m very grateful to have shared the field with you.”

Off the field, Eklund is a passionate advocate for the marine environment, with a social media presence built largely around his love of fishing — a passion that will now take on greater prominence as he moves into the next chapter of his life.