Morning Round Up

Hooper retires with immediate effect

"You need to be 100% to play for Bath at this level, so my playing days are now over."

"I did (an) injury in December against Leicester. I missed five or six weeks initially, got it back to a stage when I could play, but didn't get it right unfortunately."

"I implicitly trust their [the surgeon's] judgement. Now I'm very, very excited about the next challenges in life."

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Simmons ruled out of Bulls clash

Simmons sustained an AC injury during a match against Highlanders last weekend.

“It’s disappointing not to have the experience of Rob (Simmons) there this weekend, but we thought it was best to give his shoulder another week to heal,” said Nick Stiles, Reds co-coach.

Ben (Matwijow) has been making a solid impact off the bench and we know he can do a job for us on Saturday night.”

Order of New Zealand bestowed on Richie McCaw

McCaw has become the youngest person to recieve New Zealand's highest honour when he accepted his insignia from the govenor-general at a ceremony held earlier today. He is now a member of an order which is confined to 20 living New Zealanders.