First openly gay All Blacks rugby player marries partner in New Zealand
Rugby NewsFriday, 12 December 2025 at 03:35
Former All Black prop Campbell Johnstone — who made history in 2023 as the first All Black to publicly come out as gay — has stepped into a whole new phase of life: wedding rings, late-night puppy chaos, and a family that just keeps growing.
Johnstone, who earned his All Black cap back in 2005, married longtime partner Ben Thomson earlier this year in a jaw-dropping South Island celebration.
The pair exchanged vows at The Flaxmill in Oxford, just outside Christchurch, making the most Kiwi entrance imaginable: arriving by helicopter flown by Richie McCaw himself. Only in New Zealand can your wedding chauffeur also be a two-time World Cup-winning captain.
The couple had already enjoyed a private mountaintop ceremony in October 2024, but saved the big bash for friends and family in January 2025. In true Johnstone fashion, guests even got to vote on which surname the newlyweds should take — and “Johnstone” won the popular vote.
But the newest member of the squad? Bruce — a majestic, floppy-eared Great Dane puppy who has instantly taken command of the household.
You can follow his rise to household captaincy at on Instagram, where his giant paws and even bigger personality are already winning over fans. As one friend joked, “Bruce isn’t being trained… he’s training
them.”
It marks another uplifting chapter for Johnstone, whose bravery in coming out in 2023 helped shift attitudes across the rugby world. At the time, he said he hoped to “take the pressure off others” in sport struggling with their identity — and he’s been praised ever since for helping people reconnect with what rugby is really about.
Now, between newlywed life, sleepless nights with a mischievous Great Dane, and a future that looks brighter by the day, Campbell Johnstone is living life in full colour.
And if Bruce’s Instagram antics are anything to go by, this family’s next chapter is shaping up to be pawsitively world-class.
Rugby’s Power Couples: The Top 20 Stars and Their Partners (Ranked 20-1)
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Whether they’re lifting trophies, breaking records, or lighting up red carpets, these duos are redefining what it means to be a rugby partnership in 2025.
20. Ben White & Jodie Burridge
Scotland’s fiery scrum-half and British tennis ace Jodie bring the heat wherever they go — sporty, ambitious, and full of energy.
19. George Ford & Atdhetare Hoxha
England’s composed fly-half and his elegant fiancée keep things classic and classy. A quiet power couple in every sense.
18. Maro Itoje & Mimi Itoje
Understated, intelligent, and effortlessly cool. England’s cerebral lock and his stylish wife keep the spotlight where it belongs — on excellence.
17. Joe Marchant & Hollie Shearer
A rugby star meets football royalty’s daughter — the son-in-law Alan Shearer didn’t know he needed! A fun, media-friendly modern pair.
16. Marcus Smith & Beth Dolling
England’s flair player and his model-singer girlfriend bring fashion and flair to the rugby world. A young couple with superstar potential.
15. Simon Easterby & Sarra Elgan
Ireland’s forwards coach and the Welsh presenter are a rugby broadcasting dream team — brains, beauty, and a shared love of the game.
14. Finn Russell & Emma Canning
The Scottish playmaker and his multi-talented heptathlete partner are electric — charm, cheek, and competitiveness rolled into one.
13. Eben Etzebeth & Anlia van Rensburg
The Springbok enforcer and South African singer-songwriter embody raw passion and power — rugby grit meets glamour.
12. Brian O'Driscoll & Amy Huberman
Still Ireland’s golden couple. The legendary centre and the beloved actress have long mastered the art of fame, family, and fun.
11. Dan Carter & Honor Carter
New Zealand’s ultimate glamour pair. Two sporting stars, one golden legacy — and still the blueprint for “couple goals” in rugby circles.
10. Richie McCaw & Gemma McCaw
The GOAT himself and an Olympic hockey star — humble, heroic, and still New Zealand’s most admired pairing.
9. Johnny Sexton & Laura Sexton
The Irish legend and his wife Laura have been together through every phase of his glittering career. A partnership built on loyalty and love.
8. Jonny Wilkinson & Shelley Jenkins
The man who won England the 2003 World Cup — and the woman who helped him find peace after it. Calm, grounded, and utterly iconic.
7. George North & Becky James
A Welsh rugby great and an Olympic medalist cyclist — the ultimate all-athlete duo. Fast, focused, and family-first.
6. Sarah Bern & Mackenzie Carson
Red Roses icons and 2025 World Cup champions. Together, they’re redefining what it means to be a power couple in modern rugby.
5. Mike Tindall & Zara Tindall
Rugby meets royalty — literally. From Cheltenham to the royal box, the Tindalls remain Britain’s best-known sporting sweethearts.
4. Abbie Ward & Dave Ward
England lock Abbie returned from motherhood to win the 2025 World Cup — alongside her coaching husband, Dave. The ultimate rugby family success story.
3. Andy Farrell & Colleen Farrell
Ireland’s head coach and his wife Colleen are rugby royalty — and the parents of England captain Owen Farrell. That’s sporting legacy on another level.
2. Antoine Dupont & Iris Mittenaere
France’s superstar scrum-half and former Miss Universe make one of the most glamorous couples in sport. Dupont’s brilliance meets Iris’s global fame — a blend of beauty, brains, and blue jerseys.
1. Marlie Packer & Rosie Galligan
World Cup winners, teammates, and trailblazers. The Red Roses duo top our list for their passion, pride, and power — both on and off the field. The ultimate rugby power couple of 2025.
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