Veteran Chiefs and All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris is hanging up his boots for good at the age of just 29 years.
The 18-test All Black has decided to retire from all rugby, deciding it's time to move on from the ongoing discomfort caused by an ankle injury, which has plagued him in recent years.
"After playing 10 years of footy, my ankle has had enough, and it is time to move onto something new," says Harris.
"It has been a really hard decision but at the end of the day, my body and my family come first."
Harris - who also made 42 appearances at provincial level for Bay of Plenty - plans to complete his post graduate studies at the University of Waikato with a view to achieving his "ultimate goal" of becoming a physical education teacher.
"I am really looking forward to the next chapter of my life and will continue to support the teams from the sideline."
In 2014, Harris made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs, and quickly earned a call-up that same year for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign and northern tour, making his test debut against Argentina.
After injury sidelined him for 2015, Harris worked his way back into the All Blacks' squad for the 2017 series against the British and Irish Lions, playing in all three tests of the series and earning two more caps during the year-end European tour.
In 2019, Harris earnt selection in the Māori All Blacks, before injury came back to haunt him to wipe out his 2020 season.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says Harris has made an enormous contribution to both the Chiefs and NZ rugby as a whole.
"He is recognised among coaches and his peers as one of the best scrummaging hookers in the country," says McMillan. "He had a lot of quality years still ahead of him but unfortunately, his injuries have caught up with him.
"He has been an outstanding Chief. Even though he has battled through injuries through campaigns, he has always been the one to put the team first, whichever team that may have been.
"It is a true testament to his character. We wish him and his family all the best for their next chapter."