Cardiff Blues can confirm that Defence Coach Xavier Rush will leave the region to pursue a career away from rugby
Xavier Rush joined Cardiff Blues in 2005 having won eight New Zealand caps and made and instant impact winning the Player of the Year Award in his first season with the region.
A powerful and athletic Number 8, Rush was instrumental in the Blues success in the subsequent years, firstly winning the Anglo-Welsh EDF Cup while also reaching the HEC Semi-Finals in the same year, before winning the Amlin Challenge Cup the following season.
A physical player throughout his career Rush suffered a neck injury in the 2011/12 Heineken Cup quarter-final match against Leinster that forced him to retire from playing and take up a coaching post with the Blues.
Having recently become a father Xavier has decided to leave his coaching post to develop a career away from rugby.
Speaking of his decision Rush said,
“I enjoyed a wonderful time playing for the Blues and winning the two cups was a real highlight.
“I also learnt a great deal from my year working as part of the coaching team at the Blues.
“However, I feel now is the right time for me to step away from the game after being involved with professional rugby for 16 years.
“I’ve had a wonderful time with Cardiff Blues and would like to thank the Cardiff Blues board for giving me the chance to play for such a great club.
“The players and staff have been fantastic to work with and I’d like to say a special word of thank to the supporters who have made me feel so welcome since I arrived in Wales in 2005.”
Cardiff Blues Chairman Peter Thomas added,
“There is no doubting that Xavier Rush made a huge contribution to Cardiff Blues since arriving from New Zealand in 2005.
“He was an incredibly physical and powerful player that would always put the team on the front foot.
“On behalf of everyone at Cardiff Blues I would like to thank him for his contribution and we wish him and his young family well for the future. He will always be welcome back at the Arms Park”