Former All Black Norm Hewitt dies from motor neurone disease

Former All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, has died aged 55, New Zealand Rugby said on Tuesday.

Hewitt played 23 times for the All Blacks, including nine Tests, after he was first selected as an understudy to Sean Fitzpatrick for the 1993 series against the British & Irish Lions.

In 1997, Hewitt had an intense face-to-face showdown with England's Richard Cockerill during the haka before a match at Old Trafford.

Hewitt later described the incident, which ended with pushing and shoving between the pair, as an ingrained part of "rugby folklore".

Researchers have found that professional rugby players are as much as 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease.

English rugby league player Rob Burrow died earlier this year aged 41 after a four-year battle with the rare, degenerative illness. Former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen died from the same illness aged 45 in 2017.

"I played against Norm as a young player, and he was uncompromising on the field but always gracious with his time off it," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said.

We are saddened by the loss of All Black #938 Norm Hewitt who passed away yesterday in Wellington. Hewitt played 9 Tests and 14 Games between 1993 and 1998.Our thoughts are with Norm’s family and loved ones at this time ?? pic.twitter.com/LgPQEXqEpt

Off the field, Hewitt made headlines in 1999 when he drunkenly broke into the wrong hotel room.

It proved to be a life-changing incident as it made Hewitt realise he had to deal with his drinking problem and lead him to becoming a youth mentor.

His name was immortalised in the television comedy series "Flight of the Conchords" starring Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie.

Clement