Credit: Twitter
Former Kiwi rugby player Billy Guyton has died at the age of 33, five years after he was forced to retire after having concussion issues. The halfback, who played for the Blues, Crusaders, and Hurricanes in Super Rugby, was forced to retire in 2018 because of concussion symptoms.
Guyton was recently working as an assistant coach for the Tasman women's team in the Farah Palmer Cup. Born and raised in South Canterbury, he began his provincial career with North Otago. After representing the province between 2010 and 2012, he made 52 appearances for Tasman between 2013 and 2017 and 24 appearances for the Blues afterward.
Tasman Rugby confirmed the news in a post on social media, that read, "It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Billy Guyton. Billy was a much-loved member of our whole Tasman Rugby Union team and had a positive impact on those he played alongside and coached."
The Blues said in a statement on social media, "We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Billy Guyton. He was a talented rugby player, who made 24 appearances for the Blues between 2016-2017. We cannot imagine the heartache his family and friends must be feeling at this difficult time. To everyone who knew Billy, we send them our sincere sympathy."
Guyton also made one appearance for the Hurricanes in 2014 and another for the Crusaders in 2015. He called time on his career in 2018, as he wanted to take care of his daughter Uri. Concussion symptoms meant he found himself unable to play with his daughter and decided it was time to leave rugby, a decision which he had admitted wasn't easy to make.