The first openly gay All Black has got married

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Campbell Johnstone, the trailblazing former All Black, has officially said "I do."

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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.

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.

EDITORS PICKS:

LIST | 5 Gay Rugby Stars Who Are Out And Proud

While World Rugby is taking a firm stance on inclusion and diversity, there are many personalities who have been paving the way for this inspiring movement.

1.Nigel Owens

All fans, players, and anyone who knows anything about rugby will know the name, Nigel Owens. Besides having the record for most test matches refereed, Owens has earned a reputation as one of the top rugby referees around the world.

The Welshman is also a TV personality and a devoted activist for the LGBT cause, winning "Gay Sports Personality of the Decade" at the Stonewall awards ceremony in London back in 2015.

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