First Gay All Black Looks Unrecognisable – How Life Has Changed Him

In January, the 45-year-old, unrecognisable from his playing days, officially tied the knot with partner Ben Thomson. Johnstone, who made history as New Zealand’s first openly gay rugby player, celebrated the milestone in a stunning ceremony that captured hearts nationwide.

The couple shared the joyous news in an exclusive feature with 

Woman’s Day on 15 January, giving fans a glimpse into their unforgettable celebration.

Helicopters and History: A Grand Entrance
The wedding took place at The Flaxmill in Oxford, New Zealand, and kicked off in dramatic fashion with the newlyweds arriving by helicopter. And this wasn’t just any pilot – the legendary Richie McCaw, Johnstone’s former All Blacks teammate, took the controls.

“Richie did this really steep loop around the property, and I lost my stomach a bit,” Thomson revealed to the magazine. “Then he landed, and we got out. Our parents congratulated us, people swarmed to take photos, then the wedding kind of kicked off from there.”

A Private Moment on a Mountain Top
While the couple’s arrival was a spectacle, the vows themselves were a deeply intimate affair. Eschewing a traditional ceremony, Johnstone and Thomson shared their romantic exchange on top of a mountain at Castle Hill Station.

“We had a day with just the two of us,” said Thomson. “Photographers videoed and photographed us getting ready together in a hotel. Then we went out to Castle Hill Station and held our ceremony on top of a mountain. It was literally just us, the two photographers, and the videographer on that hill… we didn’t even have a celebrant.”

Johnstone echoed the sentiment, explaining: “We also thought it should be a moment just for us. That was really special because we just got to enjoy the day together.”

Campbell Johnstone: A Rugby Trailblazer
Johnstone’s rugby journey is as remarkable as his personal one. A prop by trade, he represented the All Blacks in 2005, earning three Test caps during that season. Known for his strength and technique in the scrum, he also had an illustrious domestic career, playing for Canterbury in the NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Though his time in the black jersey was brief, Johnstone’s legacy extends far beyond the field. In 2023, he publicly came out as gay, shattering stereotypes and earning widespread respect as a role model for inclusivity in sport.

But when the whistles blow and the scrums form, these stellar athletes have something—or someone—behind them that’s just as vital: their partners. Let’s meet the supportive squad off the field...

There’s not much public detail about their relationship, but the headlines say it all: Jess Breach shares life with former Harlequins flanker Archie White, who created headlines by stepping away from the game last summer at just 27.

A bold pivot, and no doubt a steadying presence in Jess’s corner.

Star fullback Ellie Kildunne has long been one of England’s most exciting talents—and her personal life has caught attention too. She was previously in a relationship with Cameron Sommerville-Bailey, a director at Complete Renovations, with the pair even attending the World Rugby Awards together in 2024.

However, rumours now suggest the couple have since split, with Ellie thought to be single as she heads into the World Cup year. Neither has spoken publicly about the status of their relationship, but the whispers have circulated widely among fans.

For now, Ellie seems fully focused on her rugby—lighting up the pitch with her trademark flair as she looks to play a starring role in England’s World Cup campaign.

One of rugby’s ultimate power couples, Abbie Ward tied the knot with former Harlequins hooker Dave Ward back in 2020. The pair first crossed paths at the Quins’ training ground in Guildford when Abbie had just joined the women’s side, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Rugby remains at the heart of their relationship. Dave, who previously coached Abbie at Bristol Bears Women, is now head coach at Ampthill & District. And the couple’s biggest victory to date? Welcoming daughter Hallie in July 2023.

Abbie’s comeback just 17 weeks later was nothing short of inspirational – a journey captured in the documentary Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road.

As Abbie put it: “I think it is nice having someone who can relate to everything that is going on, the highs and the lows. I think it is quite unique to have your other half who completely gets all of that work life but all of the social parts of it as well.”

Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan are more than teammates—they're life teammates. The pair got engaged in June 2025 with Rosie sharing a dreamy lakeside proposal on Instagram: “The easiest yes in the world. Forever and always.”

Beyond the romance, their shared passion shines through. Rosie has spoken about the team’s rebirth under head coach John Mitchell: “We came off the back of a loss at the World Cup... since then we have had Mitch come in and we have had a regrowth as a Red Roses side... You look at a rose and how it has to die to come back alive again.”

In March 2025, Marlie and Rosie brought inspiration off the field too, visiting the Guernsey Girls’ Rugby Academy where they were “blown away” by the response and hoped to “inspire those girls to pick up a ball.”

Marlie, who is also mum to son Oliver from a previous relationship, often shares snapshots of their happy family life. Rosie and Oliver’s bond has quickly blossomed, making them one of rugby’s most loved-up couples.

England’s captain heading into the World Cup, Zoe Aldcroft, has captured hearts both for her leadership on the pitch and her charm off it. She and Luke Stratford—now a women’s rugby coach—first locked eyes in Gloucester, where Luke made a bold first move: approaching her dressed in women’s clothes at a nightclub.

Their wedding came in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough, and it was anything but ordinary. As Zoe recounted: Luke insisted on wearing shorts “even in minus conditions”, and she warned, “as soon as the wedding was done the tie was off and the flip-flops were on.”

Beyond the wardrobe quirks, Zoe’s rise is nothing short of inspiring. Named England captain in 2025, she heads into the Rugby World Cup being touted to lead a reshaping of women’s rugby, believing this tournament “has the potential to change women’s rugby for ever.”