First Openly Gay All Black Marries Two Years After Coming Out
Today at 07:33 AM
Campbell Johnstone, the trailblazing former All Black, has officially said "I do."
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The 45-year-old, who became the first openly gay player in New Zealand's rugby history, married his partner Ben Thomson in a stunning ceremony that made headlines for all the right reasons.
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.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Join Greene King for the Six Nations
- Antoine Dupont injury update: France make devastating statement
- Win a trip to the 2025 Lions tour
- Peter O'Mahony Avoids Punishment After Final Act of Sh**housery for Ireland
- Statement: THREE Ireland players cited following France defeat
- Five players Ireland must drop after France defeat – who should replace them
Eight Players Who Flopped in Round Four of the Six Nations
The fourth round of the 2025 Six Nations saw England overpower Italy 47-24 at Twickenham, France reign supreme in a 42-27 victory over Ireland in Dublin, and Scotland edge past Wales 35-29 in a thriller at Murrayfield.
Despite the thrilling action, several players underperformed. Here's a summary of the eight who struggled, with quotes from the key publications.
#1. Ellis Genge (England)
Planet Rugby: “Again, didn't get to do much scrummaging but on the whole was fine. Carried hard when given the chance and got about in defence.”
Telegraph: “Probably his quietest performance of the Championship so far. Won an early scrum penalty but then got pinged for sealing off right in front of the posts.”
Mail Online: Warned for protesting with referee in the first half after being penalised for sealing off. Added a couple of trademark carries in attack.
Evening Standard: “Warned by the referee for his reaction to giving away a contentious late first-half penalty as he had too much to say for himself. Not his best day otherwise but useful in the loose.”
#2. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
UCK 4/10: “One last home run-out for the veteran. Will be disappointed with his work rate as his side fell apart shortly after he departed for Conan.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “The mind is willing but the body was struggling to keep up. Fell off Antoine Dupont for France's first try and looked a yard or two off the pace throughout, although there was no lack of industry, grit or heart from the Munster veteran.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “ucky to get away with a few infringements with some rather kind officiating. But the rub of the green went the other way for a crucial call with many claiming that he attempted to milk a penalty. Again a real weapon at the lineout. It's not the result the Ireland legend deserved in his final home outing but it wasn't his best showing either.”
Balls 5/10: “Did well in the lineout but game roared past him on a few occasions. Was taken out before the Boudehent try but Angus Gardner opted to ignore.”
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post First Openly Gay All Black Marries Two Years After Coming Out appeared first on Ruck.
