Former All Black Jason Eaton will retire from rugby at the end of the season due to concussion.
His French club La Rochelle confirmed the news this morning.
Jason Eaton of La Rochelle. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The former Hurricanes lock suffered a head knock playing against fellow French club Clermont early last month and has decided to retire because his symptoms haven't improved.
"It's obviously not the planned finish I wanted," Eaton told reporters.
"But that's the nature of the sport. I can't control injuries... because I'm retiring I'll put more importance on my brain because I'm going to need it pretty soon.
"It's pretty easy to run around a rugby field without a brain, but to work in an office or whatever it is, it's pretty important."
Eaton played 15 tests for the All Blacks between 2005-2009.
The 35-year-old says he's unsure what he'll do after rugby.
"I've no idea what I'm going to do work-wise, I'm pretty sure it's not going to be in rugby," added Eaton.
"I'll move into some other sector, I don't know what yet. It's going to be a new and challenging time."
