Former All Blacks hooker Hewitt dies aged 55

Former New Zealand rugby national hooker Norm Hewitt, who had been diagnosed pinch centrifugal neurone disease, has died astatine nan property of 55.

Hewitt made 23 appearances for nan All Blacks, including 9 Test matches, pursuing his debut successful 1993.

He played for Super Rugby broadside Wellington and Hawke's Bay, and Southland astatine provincial level, earlier becoming a organization activistic pursuing his retirement.

New Zealand Rugby main executive Mark Robinson said Hewitt was "uncompromising connected nan section but ever gracious pinch his clip disconnected it".

Robinson added: "He was a regular connected nan sidelines of nine rugby, passionate astir nan provincial crippled and a proud All Black and Maori All Black. Our thoughts are pinch Norm's family and loved ones astatine this time."

At a lucifer astatine Old Trafford successful 1997, Hewitt was progressive successful a celebrated stand-off pinch England's Richard Cockerill during nan pre-game capacity of nan haka, pinch nan 2 players going nose-to-nose.