All Black Hore to retire

Veteran All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore confirmed his international retirement on Wednesday after 83 Test appearances for New Zealand.

 

The 35-year-old could not find a Super 15 team for next season and said he planned to concentrate on working on his South Island farm.

 

"I don't think I'll be playing in the All Black jersey again," he told reporters when he arrived back in New Zealand from Ireland, where New Zealand capped a perfect season on the weekend with 14 wins in 14 Tests.

 

"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. Hopefully, if I do that as well as I've played rugby then I shouldn't be going too bad."

 

Hore made his international debut in 2002 at the relatively late aged of 24 but has been a regular for the All Blacks ever since.

 

He was part of their World Cup winning campaign in 2011 and captained New Zealand against Canada at the tournament, his only international appearance wearing the skipper's armband.

 

He said he intends to maintain his involvement in the game by playing club rugby in Otago.

 

- AFP