Aaron Mauger has been forced to retire © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Aaron Mauger

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: Leicester Tigers | New Zealand

Aaron Mauger has been forced to call time on his career due to a persistent back injury.

The Leicester centre, a 45-cap All Black, had been targeting an international return prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup but his hopes have been dashed by an injury picked up 12 months ago.

Mauger joined the Tigers from Canterbury and the Crusaders following New Zealand's quarter-final exit at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and confirmed in January his intention to challenge for another shot at the Webb Ellis Cup.

"After many different specialist treatments in the UK and Germany, along with an intense rehab plan with the club medical staff at Leicester Tigers, I have been unable to regain full fitness and participate in full team training and games without re-injuring myself," he said. "So unfortunately retiring now seems the last but only realistic option available.

"I am gutted to be finishing my playing career many years before I had planned. This scenario also means I will have to let go of my aspirations of returning to play in New Zealand and my desire to compete for an All Black jersey again. I can now only wish every team that I have played for over my career all the best and thank all of the players and coaches over the years who have helped me to achieve and to enjoy the game as much as I have."

Despite his disappointment Mauger is keen to remain involved in the game when he returns to New Zealand in June.

"I have many special memories and they are ones that I will cherish forever. The game has given me so much and I am very grateful to rugby for the opportunities and the experiences it has provided for me to learn and grow," he said. "I plan to stay involved in the game and look forward to some new challenges that a different role might provide for me."