What rugby stars did next - the weird jobs they had after retirement

Rugby News
Friday, 24 August 2018 at 14:45
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A professional rugby player has an approximate 10-12 years at the highest level.
Some have longer playing careers while some extremely short ones.
A lot of players stay within the game in some way, but there are, however, a select few who pursued a career that is nothing related to rugby.
We look at the nine weirdest career changes made by Rugby players, powered by Office Circle.

1. Richie McCaw - Commercial helicopter pilot

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The legendary All Blacks No 7 has revealed his plans for life after rugby having announced his retirement from the sport.
When asked how he would fill his days now without the sport, he said: "I am heavily involved in the Christchurch Helicopters company, they are great people and I'm excited about the opportunities there. Aviation is something I'm passionate about, I'm going to carry on flying and work towards getting my commercial pilot licence."

2. George Gregan - Coffee shop

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The Gregan Group, established over 15 years ago, started with one espresso bar and has subsequently expanded to include 24 venues, with espresso bars supplemented by wine bars, bistros and a catering business.

3. Phil Vickery - Fashion designer

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Following his retirement in 2010 due to injury, Vickery established his own fashion line named after his moniker. Featuring rugby-inspired tops and T-shirts, shirts, footwear and knitwear, the Raging Bull brand is stocked in 30 House of Fraser stores and 90 independent retailers in the UK.

4. Chris Wyles and Alistair Hargreaves - Beer

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Almost eight years ago, Saracens team-mates Alistair Hargreaves and Chris Wyles were sharing a pint in the Elgin pub in Maida Vale discussing what life would hold after rugby.
Various ideas were discussed before Hargreaves had a lightbulb moment. The idea was sitting right in front of them. “Why don’t we make our own beer?”
Today, Wolfpack lager, the pair’s flagship beer, is served in 50 pubs and bars across London.

5. Scott Quinnell - Candles

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The former Wales No. 8 is often on the TV, by presenting the show School of Hard Knocks, popping up in Stella, or a Postcode Lottery ambassador. He is also a popular Sky Sports rugby pundit. However, away from rugby he owns Quinnell Candles with his family.

6. Martin Bayfield - Actor

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Since retirement, Bayfield has worked as a journalist, an after-dinner speaker and has since appeared in all of the Harry Potter films playing the half-giant Hagrid, as Robbie Coltrane's body and stunt double. He also appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as a young Rubeus Hagrid. Continuing the acting theme, he also played a cyclops in Jonathan Liebesman's Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to 2010 movie Clash of the Titans.

7. Olly Kohn - Sausages

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Along with is two brothers, Josh and Max, the former Harlequins man launched a family-run sausage brand. The Jolly Hog journey began when Kohn’s wife bought him a sausage-making machine in 2008. The Jolly Hog business, which has 15 full-time employees, registered turnover of £1.3m last year.

8. Nick Macleod - Baker 

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When rugby star Nick Macleod damaged his big toe during a match a few years ago he never thought it would mean the end of his professional sporting career. What came as an even biggest surprise, however, was the fact he'd then go on to become one of Cardiff's most popular bakers.
 
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