All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore has confirmed he is retiring from international rugby with immediate effect.
The 83-test veteran made his last appearance in the last-gasp win over Ireland on Monday morning (NZ time) and will now become a farmer.
Hore, who made his debut for the All Blacks in 2002, was without a Super Rugby contract for next year after his contract with the Highlanders wasn't renewed.
"I don't think I'll be playing in the All Black jersey again," he said on arrival back in Auckland from the end of season tour.
"I've had a good run. Hopefully I can get home and make a good fist of my next job which is going to be a farmer.
"I'll do that, hopefully if I do that as well as I've played rugby then I shouldn't be going too bad."
Despite some ups and downs over his time as a rugby player, the former Hurricane said he had no regrets over his career.
"You have your ups and downs and you've just got to flow with them but I think 10 years in the All Blacks makes you a better person by the time you come out the other end."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/9447751/Andrew-Hore-confirms-All-Blacks-retirement
Was mentioned in another thread but probably deserves its own one. Interesting that no franchise wanted him - and I have to wonder if its just age or if teams feel he didn't offer a positive impact (which the Hurricanes seemed to have felt after 2011). I'm also suprised he doesn't seem to be pursuing a move to an overseas club, I know he's into his farming but Toulon would surely give him a very comfortable retirement package. Either way he offered a lot to the All Blacks over 83 tests, his work at the breakdown particularly.
I don't think it's entirely confirmed yet - I wouldn't be suprised to hear a SR team picks him if a hooker gets injured. It doesn't seem much has been made of it either, which is strange (I think partly because there is so much uncertainty around it). What it does mean is the All Blacks need a third hooker and I don't know who it's likely to be. I think I'm one of the few who thinks James Parsons is probably the next best hooker off the rank, but at 27 (28 in a few days) they may be looking for younger hooker in someone like Quentin MacDonald (25), Liam Coltman (23) or Rhys Marshall (21). Hika Elliot is only a few months younger than Parsons but has been in the All Blacks before so may be favoured (but I don't think he's been exception for the All Blacks or ever will be).