Dallas Seymour calls it quits

1.00pm

Long-time New Zealand Sevens representative and former All Black Dallas Seymour has announced his retirement from all rugby.

The 35-year-old was an automatic selection for the New Zealand Sevens team from 1988 and played in more than 30 tournaments around the world, as well as the Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning team in Malaysia in 1998.

Seymour played three matches for the All Blacks in 1992 and also represented New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Colts and New Zealand Universities. He also represented the Hurricanes in 1996-1997, the Crusaders in 2000-2001 and played NPC rugby for Canterbury, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay.

His wife, Silver Ferns netballer Julie Seymour, is expecting their second child and Seymour said his desire now was to spend more time with his family.

"We have a young family and the time has come to put them first now. Rugby's been a big part of my life from a young age but your priorities change when you have children and I want to spend more time with them and Julie," Seymour said.

"It's time to move on and I have no regrets. I have achieved what I wanted to achieve.

"But the one thing I will miss the most is the sheer pleasure of pulling on the black jersey and representing my country."

Seymour rates New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens and All Blacks coaches Laurie Mains and Wayne Smith as three of the best coaches he has played under.

Tietjens paid tribute to his good friend.

"He is a very committed and professional athlete and has set the standards to which many of the young guys have aspired to. He can be proud of what he has achieved," Tietjens said.

New Zealand Rugby Football Union acting chief executive Steve Tew said Dallas Seymour had been one of New Zealand rugby's enduring characters.

"It's been a remarkable career and he has been a key player in numerous teams throughout the years," Tew said.

Seymour has recently taken up the position of Senior Advisor, Maori, for Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).

"My role is to encourage more Maori to participate in sport and educating people on how to do it."

Seymour though said he hadn't given up sport altogether.

"I'll be spending time kicking a ball around with (21-month-old son) Harrison in the backyard and also focusing on other sports I've always wanted to try.

"I've got a bike and hope to do the Coast to Coast or the race around Lake Taupo, and multisport."

- NZPA