The former All Black second-five Aaron Mauger is retiring from rugby because of a back injury.
Mauger had planned to return to New Zealand to try to make the World Cup squad next year after moving to Leicester following the 2007 tournament.
But the 29-year-old says he's been unable to regain full fitness after a year of different treatments so retiring is the last but only realistic option .
After playing 45 tests Mauger made 53 appearances for Leicester and says he's gutted to be finishing his playing career many years before he had planned.
He says he plans to stay involved in rugby and look forward to some new challenges a different role might provide.
He'll return to New Zealand with his family in June.
