Iconic All Blacks Sevens player DJ Forbes has announced his retirement from the game.
The 34-year-old, who began his career back in 2006 has featured in 89 World Series tournaments and played in a record 512 World Series games, scoring 153 tries along the way.
He has also captained New Zealand to gold at a Commonwealth Games and World Rugby Sevens World Cup.
But after 11 years representing his country on the world stage, Forbes told Newshub it felt like the perfect time to hang up the boots.
"It wasn't anything in particular but the timing is right," said Forbes.
"There are a lot of things going on right now with centralisation within the team.
"Everyone should be aiming for that Olympic campaign so this Olympics was a stretch
"This has been my first official offseason/preseason and the amount of time I got to spend doing the drop offs, pickups and school lunches with the kids really struck home for me so I had to make the call."
The six-time World Series winner never expected his career to pan out the way it did, saying he feels blessed to have played for as long as he did.
"I got one cap for Auckland back in the day and then managed to get a few more for Counties and then the door opened with the Sevens.
"I enjoyed it and then got the nod year after year.
"No matter what you do, you want to put all your effort into doing well. I got some accolades along the way but it was more about doing something I loved and making some good relationships along the way."
Earlier in the year, it was announced that Hamilton claimed the hosting rights over Wellington for the New Zealand leg of the World Sevens Series.
It is the first time the event Wellington won't be hosting a leg after 18-years, but after years of dwindling crowd numbers, it was time for a change - and a change that Forbes agrees with.
"It needed to move. It is nothing against Wellington but you can see already ticket sales are already up.
"It is awesome for the boys and it will be awesome for Sevens in New Zealand to see the backing and support.
"I think it was the right move. It could have been anywhere but I'm expecting it to be a full house."
Now that Forbes has retired he looking forward to finishing his master's degree, which examines what makes successful coaching from an athlete's perspective.
Forbes is looking forward to the challenge of coaching in the future and what challenges might come with it.
"I have done some little stints like player/coaching and invitational tournaments.
"Definitely being a resource coach or going across to other countries and doing clinics will build up my CV.
"I definitely want to start lower with countries that are trying to qualify for the World Series or in different tournaments would be the way I go.
"If there are opportunities to learn at the highest level and the bigger nations then so be it. It will definitely be a work in progress but I'm excited for it."
Newshub.
