Tangen-Wainohu, who announced her decision yesterday, was ruled out of the Pacific Four series earlier this year after aggravating the injury, and following further assessment has made the call to hang up the boots.
‘‘Sometimes the game you love doesn’t love you back. My neck scans have shown that staying in the game could cost more than the game gives. So I have to hang the boots up, but I am grateful my tinana is still in one piece,’’ Tangen-Wainohu said on social media.
“Ngā mihi rugby, for a life I never imagined, for everything you gave to my whānau and I. To every team, coach, kaiako and team-mate, you shaped this journey. Forever grateful.”
Tangen-Wainohu made a remarkable return to the black jersey in 2025 after stepping away from the game for two years due to her neck issue.
She played for the Blues, helping them win the Super Rugby Aupiki title and the Women’s Super Rugby Championship and received an international call-up.
She played in the Pacific Four series and at the Rugby World Cup in England. She previously played for Chiefs Manawa, Waikato and Hawke’s Bay and won the World Cup in 2022.
A mother to her son Hipirini, she said he was her biggest motivator in her comeback journey and retires with 10 Black Ferns test caps.
Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen called Tangen-Wainohu has shown players what was possible through resilience and determination.
‘‘She’s been instrumental in helping us shape this new era of Black Ferns,’’ Hansen said. — Allied Media
