Watson, who earned 56 caps for England and toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2017, has been beset by injuries of late with a back issue proving the final straw.

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Other Rugby News

07 Dec: Kiwi running prodigy Sam Ruthe has comfortably won the national schools 1500 metres title in Hastings

07 Dec: The Black Ferns Sevens are moving on quickly from a perfect start in Cape Town as they eye another finals run

06 Dec: Dan Hall's content with life in the Auckland FC defence while club captain Hiroki Sakai is out injured

06 Dec: South Africa Rugby have taken the extraordinary step of re-signing Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus through until the end of the 2031 Rugby World Cup

05 Dec: The Black Caps are trying to wrap up the first cricket test against the West Indies, on day four in Christchurch

05 Dec: Liam Lawson admits any sympathy for Yuki Tsunoda's Formula One future only goes so far

05 Dec: Eben Etzebeth won't be back on a rugby field until late March

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Today's News

Health & Safety:
People at 11 locations of interest are being asked to contact Heathline urgently about measles 4:47

Law and Order:
A Southland gang pad which was the scene of a number of prolonged and tortuous beatings could now be confiscated 4:37

Law and Order:
Teenager arrested, police search for second person after fatal Ascot Vale stabbing 21:47

Environment:
Warnings of fire-risks from today, as high temperatures, and strong winds are forecast 21:17

Christchurch:
Five fire crews and two helicopters have contained a vegetation fire in North Canterbury 20:37

Motorsports:
No clear signs of nerves from Formula 1 championship leader Lando Norris ahead of the do-or-die season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix overnight 18:57

Politics:
A reshuffle in Te Pati Maori is likely on the cards, with the party's AGM today 18:37

Law and Order:
Police say they're still hunting for others involved in a fatal attack on man in Auckland's Mount Wellington on Friday 18:17

Golf:
Birdies on the 10th and 13th holes have Kiwi Daniel Hillier just two shots off the lead on the back nine of the final round of the Australia golf Open at Royal Melbourne 18:07

Politics:
Former top-cop Andrew Coster's suggested government ministers haven't told the whole truth about their knowledge of the Jevon McSkimming case 17:27

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