Sevens and Counties Manakau stalwart Sherwin Stowers is retiring from professional rugby after a 13 year association with the national sevens side.
Sherwin Stowers playing for the All Blacks Sevens against England Photo: Getty
Stowers debuted for New Zealand as an 18-year-old in Dubai in 2004.
Since then he has made 38 tournament appearances and scored 126 tries, the fourth-most by any New Zealand player.
He has four World Series sevens victories, Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals and a World Rugby Sevens World Cup title to his name.
Outside of Sevens, Stowers played 78 matches for the Counties Manukau Steelers and 18 Super Rugby games for the Blues.
Stowers said it was time to focus on family.
"I decided that after nine seasons with the All Blacks Sevens team it's time to retire and focus on my family, and being a dad.
"With two young kids at home I wasn't able to give as much to them as I would have liked between training, recovery, camps and travel. I would be doing the team an injustice if I kept playing without giving 110 per cent which I have always strived to do."
Stowers said he will work towards gaining primary school teachers registration, working at a school local to his Papatoetoe home.
Stowers said despite hanging up his boots, he has no doubt that he will remain involved in the game of rugby.
"I have gained so much out of rugby that I will be re-paying the favour for sure. I will encourage my kids to play and get involved coaching them, but in the meantime the focus will be on my teaching."
