Experienced international defender Clarissa Eshuis has been forced to retire from all hockey. Eshuis, 28, had won 132 caps and had hoped to return to the Black Sticks to push for Olympic selection in Rio next year.
However a serious back injury has led to her retirement. A disc bulge hadworsened which accounted for increased pain the Auckland player experienced last year.
"It's so disappointing, having hockey as part of your life for so long it becomes so hard to let go, but I don't have much choice," Eshuis said.
As well as being a defensive rock in the national team, Eshuis was also a quality drag flicker, scoring 28 goals for New Zealand.
She singled out the Olympic campaign in London, when New Zealand were one game away from playing for the gold medal, as a high point.
"During that year, it just felt like we were all on the same page. We were committed, very focussed and had the same goal. It had been a dream of mine to get to the Olympics, and so for me the London Olympics stands out."
Eshuis also won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
