Back injury forces Aaron Mauger into retirement

Thursday 1 April 2010
Published By: Amy Nicholson
Guinness Premiership > Leicester Tigers

Leicester's Aaron Mauger has been forced into retirement by a back injury at the age of 29, ending his World Cup dream.

The New Zealander has been suffering from back and hamstring troubles for the past two years since signing for the Tigers following the 2007 World Cup and has revealed that nerve damage in his back has eventually forced him to call time on his career.

Mauger was hoping to add to his 45 New Zealand caps and gain a place in the 2011 World Cup squad but said his disappointment at having to leave the playing field will not keep him out of rugby forever.

"I am gutted to be finishing my playing career many years before I had planned," he said.

However, Leicester coach Richard Cockerill praised the player's fighting spirit and said he hoped Mauger would find a path back into rugby, whether as a coach or otherwise, in the future.

Posted by Amy Nicholson