KEY POINTS:
Former All Black halfback Steve Devine has retired from rugby after medical advice that he should give up the game because of head knocks suffered during his career.
Devine, 30, has still not recovered from his latest concussion injury, which happened when he was playing for Auckland in the opening round Air New Zealand Cup match against Counties Manukau in late July.
He said yesterday he would be back on the field tomorrow if he could, but headaches, fatigue and memory loss were ongoing problems for him.
"After several weeks of delayed recovery, tests and scans, the final decision was one I didn't want to hear," he said.
"But I realise it was for my own good."
In 2006, Devine missed most of the Blues' Super rugby campaign when he was concussed early in the competition. He said he was aware back then that he was on borrowed time.
He was hopeful of significant improvement in his health in the next few months, but with a young family, he now had other considerations than just himself.
"I've been on rehabilitation for weeks and have had excellent medical specialists keeping a close eye on my progress, which to be honest, is not as quick as we would like," he said.
"So the call has been made for me - that's it."
He was undecided about his plans for the future, saying his focus at the moment was to get himself right and to spend time with his family.
Devine made his debut for the All Blacks against England in 2002 and went on to play 10 tests, including three in the 2003 World Cup, before undergoing knee reconstruction.
He appeared 70 times for the Blues and 78 times for Auckland.
Born and raised in Australia, he said his career highlight would have to be his selection for the All Blacks.
Auckland coach Pat Lam described Devine as the most competitive player he had coached and his premature departure would be a big loss to the team, both on and off the field.
"Stevie is a real fighter," he said.
"Whatever he is doing, he gives 100 per cent every time and has set that standard for everybody in our squad."
Lam believed Devine would continue in rugby, most likely in a coaching role. At Super 14 level, coach David Nucifora acknowledged the substantial contribution Devine made to the Blues with his experience and leadership and said he would be missed next season.
- NZPA
