Injury forces All Blacks star to retire

NEWS: All Blacks star Liam Squire has been forced to retire from professional rugby due to a long-standing knee injury.

Squire will step away from rugby with immediate effect after being advised to do so by medical professionals as a result of a persistent knee injury.

“This isn’t the post I thought I would be doing so soon but as some of you are aware I have been battling with a knee injury which I’ve had surgery on,” he wrote on Instagram.

“After 6-7 months full rest to see if it will heal and speaking to my surgeon and the medical team I have been advised for my best long term interest to retire from all rugby immediately.

“As disappointing and frustrating as this  is, my long term wellbeing has to come first.”

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Squire’s announcement comes midway through his two-year deal with the Highlanders after rejoining the Dunedin-based Super Rugby franchise this year following a season-long spell with the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan.

Prior to his departure from the Highlanders at the end of the 2019 season, Squire had struggled with a hip injury that limited his output in Super Rugby.

After debuting for the All Blacks against Wales in Dunedin in 2016, Squire accrued 23 test caps in an international career that came to an end against Ireland in Dublin two years later.

He also made 35 appearances for the Highlanders between 2016 and 2021, 13 appearances for the Chiefs in 2015, three appearances for the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in 2020, and one appearance for the Maori All Blacks in 2013.

At provincial level, Squire played 47 times for Tasman between 2011 and 2019 and won a national title with the Mako two years ago.

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