Former Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund retires from rugby after neck injury

Kurt Eklund made 75 appearances for the Blues and helped win the 2024 title.

NZ Herald

Published: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 6:44 AM

Key Things to Know

Former Blues hooker Kurt Eklund announced his retirement from rugby due to persistent neck injuries.
The 32-year-old made 75 appearances for the Blues and won the 2024 Super Rugby title.
Eklund earned seven caps for the Maori All Blacks and served as team captain in 2025.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Blues hooker and Maori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund has retired from rugby due to ongoing neck injuries. The 32-year-old announced his retirement in a social media post, stating he was advised that stepping away from the sport was in his best interest after battling injuries for several years.

Eklund made 75 appearances for the Blues, helping the club win the 2024 Super Rugby title. His career also included 53 caps for Bay of Plenty, 32 for Auckland, and seven for the Maori All Blacks, whom he captained in 2025.

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Former Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund retires from rugby after neck injury

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