Carl Hayman, who played 46 Tests for New Zealand between 2001 and 2007, has joined a class-action suit relating to head injuries he received while he was a professional rugby player.
Hayman, who is 41, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia which could be from head trauma and concussion suffered when he was a player.
He is joining a class action which includes Steve Thompson, who was part of England’s Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in 2003.
Hayman, Thompson, and other claimants are taking on World Rugby and the Rugby Football Union (which manages the game in England) who they claim failed to protect them from injuries such as concussion, which have now left them with serious issues later in life.
In a statement World Rugby said it was committed to improving player safety and welfare. It also said: ‘We cannot comment on the specifics of any potential legal action involving nine former players in England and Wales. However, as we have not been contacted directly by Carl Hayman or any representative, we are not yet clear how his case relates to the current proceedings.’