New Zealands Grace Steinmetz carries the ball. Photo: Patrick Doyle / Action press
Grace Steinmetz has abruptly retired from rugby, after receiving medical advice that it would be unsafe to continue playing.
The three-test Black Fern and Chiefs Manawa player released a post on Instagram that said it was "not how I pictured my rugby career coming to an end."
"Scans have come back showing a brain injury that means I need to hang the boots up, medically retire and never play rugby again. Grateful that my health is still intact and we found out before it was too late.
"This game and the people within it have done SO much for me, and I am super grateful for the last seven years I have had in this sport.
"Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey and supported me along the way. I will understand one day."
Grace Steinmetz announces retirement on Instagram. Photo: Instagram/gracesteinmetz
Steinmetz's announcement has drawn many supportive comments from teammates and men's players.
The 26-year-old represented Wellington and Canterbury at FPC level, after being a part of the national Sevens programme. Her stint at Chiefs Manawa saw Steinmetz play in two Super Rugby Aupiki finals and she also spent time in Japan playing Sevens.
Steinmetz is also engaged to Chiefs player Rameka Poihipi.
Grace Steinmetz. Photo: Scott Grant/ActionPress
Head injuries are a serious issue for rugby union, with a class action lawsuit currently underway from a group of UK players seeking damages from World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for negligence and failing to protect them.
Closer to home, former All Black Carl Hayman last year revealed the struggles with dementia and the degenerative brain condition CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) that he now lives with.
Fellow Black Fern Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was knocked out during 2022's Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park, later admitting she has no recollection of the game.
"All I remember is pretty much when I got to come out onto the field and celebrate with the girls," she said in 2023.
"Smithy [coach Wayne Smith] came to me after the game, he was like 'Do you remember much of that game?' I was like, 'Nah, not really, Smithy', and he goes, 'You were playing an absolute blinder in the first 15 minutes', and I was like, 'No, don't tell me that!' If I had been playing a crap game it would have been a bit easier to take."
Meanwhile, the Black Ferns face England on Monday morning in the next match of their WXV1 campaign.