Former New Zealand lock Dominic Bird has confirmed his retirement from rugby. Standing at 6ft 9″ tall, Bird hangs up his boots as the tallest player to ever represent the All Blacks. The towering second row made two appearances in the famous black jersey, and enjoyed a club career across New Zealand and France.
Bird made his test match debut in a 2013 Autumn test against Japan, as a replacement for Sam Whitelock. The lock made one more cap for his country, as he ran out against Scotland in a victorious end of year tour in 2014. Bird’s record breaking height saw him stand 1cm above the previous tallest All Black, retired lock Mark Cooksley. Bird also made four appearances in the iconic black and white stripes of the Babarians.
The majority of Bird’s club career was spent across New Zealand’s provincial and Super Rugby sides. He made his senior breakthrough with Canterbury in 2011, and after two seasons had established himself as a mainstay amongst the Crusaders. Bird made the move to the Chiefs in 2016, before embarking on a voyage to the French Top 14 in a move to Racing 92.
The lock returned to New Zealand in 2021, and aligned himself with Wellington in the provincial championship. After a two year stint in the capital, Bird progressed for a brief cameo with the Hurricanes, before calling time on his career ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby season. Throughout his playing days, Bird accrued seven National Provincial Championship titles with Canterbury and Wellington, a Super Rugby runners-up medal, and a Champions Cup Final runners-up medal as Racing lost to Exeter Chiefs.
Speaking to New Zealand outlet Stuff, Bird discussed his decision to retire from rugby.
“My kids are Wellington-based, and I didn’t want to chase rugby elsewhere. I just want to stay here and spend more time with my family, so I felt it was the right time to retire.”
“There have been many great highlights in my career,” Bird said. “I loved my time with the All Blacks, the Barbarians, and I loved my time in France.
“But winning my seventh NPC medal with Wellington in 2022 is right up there.
“Playing with the group we had and the classy rugby we put out there, it was amazing, and I’ll never forget it.”