Kurt Eklund Retires From Rugby Following Medical Advice On Neck Injuries
- Former Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has retired from professional rugby at age 34 following medical advice regarding ongoing neck injuries, ending a career that spanned 82 matches for...
- Eklund announced his departure from the game on social media, stating that medical guidance made it clear he needed to stop playing.
- Eklund accumulated 82 appearances and 24 tries across seven seasons with the Blues, debuting in 2020 against the Chiefs and scoring 115 points total for the franchise.
Former Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has retired from professional rugby at age 34 following medical advice regarding ongoing neck injuries, ending a career that spanned 82 matches for the Blues, 96 provincial games, and the captaincy of the Māori All Blacks. While Eklund had signed a contract to join the Japanese club Yokohama Canon Eagles alongside teammate Stephen Perofeta, he never left New Zealand before making the decision to step away from the sport.
Kurt Eklund Announces Retirement After Neck Injury Advice
Eklund announced his departure from the game on social media, stating that medical guidance made it clear he needed to stop playing. He had not played since Bay of Plenty’s opening-round match against Waikato in July. That’s all she wrote,
Eklund said in his public statement. I’ve been battling neck injuries for the past few years and I’ve been told it’s in my best interest to step away from the game, so that’s what I am going to do.
He added that if his 10-year-old self had known what he would achieve, he would not have believed it.
Career Statistics Across Auckland and the Blues
Eklund accumulated 82 appearances and 24 tries across seven seasons with the Blues, debuting in 2020 against the Chiefs and scoring 115 points total for the franchise. In addition to his Super Rugby career, he played 96 National Provincial Championship matches divided between Auckland and Bay of Plenty. His representative resume includes nine matches for the Māori All Blacks, a side he captained during the 2025 campaign that featured fixtures against a Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei.
Players and Family Share Tributes to Eklund
Current and former players responded immediately to Eklund’s announcement on social media. Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane wrote, Top man. Sorry to hear it finish this way bro. All the best for the next venture.
All Blacks and Hurricanes fly half Ruben Love posted, All the best brother made me feel welcomed first day Māori ABs 2022 will never forget. Respect bro!
Additional comments from the official Bay of Plenty Instagram account read, Once our Skip, always our Skip,
alongside a message from Eklund’s father Mark, who wrote about his pride in his son’s achievements.
Unresolved Roster Plans for Yokohama Canon Eagles
Eklund’s retirement halts his planned overseas move to Japan, where he was contracted to play alongside Perofeta for the Yokohama Canon Eagles. Eklund finishes his career having reached 75 official matches specifically for the Blues, alongside his provincial and representative milestones.