Concussion forces former All Blacks international Dillon Hunt into retirement

Former New Zealand international Dillon Hunt becomes the latest player to announce his retirement from professional rugby due to concussion related issues.

In an exclusive interview from New Zealand Herald, the 26-year-old said he had been struggling with concussion symptoms for more than a year following his latest head knock that came while playing for North Harbour against Bay of Plenty in the final round of National Provincial Championship.

He becomes the second former New Zealand international to quit the game this week after Nathan Harris, who retired due to continuous discomfort with his ankle.

“I’ve decided to retire because of these concussions,” Hunt told the New Zealand Herald.

“I have to give it away. It’s just not worth it for me anymore.

“One particular crash I had with my symptoms I thought I can’t be risking this or going back to something that could make all the symptoms worse again. I was just too vulnerable.

“At its worst it’s headaches, just being in a complete fog where you can’t think. You can’t handle any sort of noise or light. The fog doesn’t really leave.

“The specialists were all pretty supportive so that decision had to be made, really.”

Hunt had represented Super Rugby sides Highlanders and Blues in the past while also representing New Zealand Under 20 and Barbarians. He also made a solitary Test appearance for New Zealand that came in 2018 against Japan.