All Black Ali Williams retires from rugby

After 77 Tests, a World Cup win and two Super Rugby titles, New Zealand former international Ali Williams is retiring from rugby.

New Zealand All Blacks player Ali Williams

All Blacks legend Ali Williams has announced his retirement from rugby after 77 Tests. (AAP)

All Black legend Ali Williams vowed to spend his time fishing and hunting after announcing his retirement from rugby on Thursday.

The 33-year-old former international lock joined European and French champions Toulon at the beginning of last season after a career spent with two New Zealand teams, the Blues and Crusaders.

"I've enjoyed every day that I've played rugby and I'm still enjoying it to the end but my body's said enough is enough," said Williams.

"There's huge motivation to go out on a winning note but like anything you can't look to the prizes, you have to look to the processes for the next few months to try to get to the prizes.

"I can't train during the week and you can't commit to another season and let players down by not being able to train during the week.

"Sometimes it's hard to acknowledge that but sometimes it's just one of those things and you have to walk away and enjoy what was 15 years of my life and I start again and do something else."

Williams won the Super Rugby title with the Blues in 2003 and the Crusaders in 2008 as well as the World Cup with New Zealand in 2011.

Since making his debut in a 31-28 defeat to England at Twickenham in November 2002, he made 77 Test appearances for the All Blacks, scoring seven tries.

He thus becomes the third World Cup winner playing for Toulon to announce his retirement in the past year.

England legend Jonny Wilkinson and South African forward Danie Rossouw, World Cup winners in 2003 and 2007 respectively, quit the game following Toulon's double last season.

South Africa lock Bakkies Botha could take that to four if, as expected, he also decides to call it a day at the end of this season, or indeed, after the World Cup in September and October.

Another former New Zealand international, prop Carl Hayman, the current club captain, has already said he will retire at the season's end while fellow former All Black back-rower Chris Masoe is rumoured to be considering quitting too.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world