Family reasons behind athletes’ retirement

WELLINGTON: All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett has decided to retire from international rugby immediately and will end his professional career with the Canterbury Crusaders at the end of the season.

Crockett, the most capped player in Super Rugby, said he would play for Tasman in New Zealand’s semi-professional provincial competition for the next two seasons.

The 35-year-old Crockett said the time away from his family – he estimated the All Blacks spent six months of the year away from home – had been an important factor in his decision.

“It’s tough on us, and it’s incredibly tough on our families as well,” Crockett told reporters in Christchurch yesterday.

“I guess last year, I had thought about it and looked at some options.

“Over the summer, spending time with the family and reflecting on some different things, it became really clear to me that it was the right thing to do, and the timing was right.”

Crockett made his debut for the Crusaders in 2006 and has played 188 games for the eight-time champions. He has also played 71 Tests for the All Blacks, mostly coming off the bench, since his debut against Italy in 2009.

Widely recognised by the Crusaders and the All Blacks as the consummate team man, Crockett said he could not place one above the other.

“The Crusaders is a special group ... I aspired to play for, growing up, and also the All Blacks.

“Once I became an All Black, I thought ‘I never ever want to let this go’.” ■

CAPE TOWN: South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel (pic) will retire from all formats of international cricket after the four-match home Test series against Australia starting this week, he said on Monday.

Morkel, 33, cited family pressures following local media reports that he was set to take up a Kolpak con- tract to play in England.

“It was an extremely tough decision but I feel the time is right to start a new chapter.

“I have a young family and a foreign wife, and the current demanding international schedule has put a lot of strain us,” Morkel said in a Cricket South Africa news release on Monday.

Morkel will now be free to play in Twenty20 leagues around the world, although he went unsold in the recent auction for this year’s Indian Premier League. — Reuters