The first former Crusaders player to take up an official role on the team’s coaching staff, Mark Hammett signed off from his playing career by scoring two tries in the 2003 Super 12 final. Although he was named in the squad the following year, after having featured in his second Rugby World Cup later in 2003, Hammett was unable to play again due to a recurring neck injury. The tough as nails hooker ended his career in sight of centuries, in terms of appearances, for both the Crusaders and Canterbury (78), after receiving the honour of being able to play alongside his younger brother Chris on his Crusaders debut in 1996. Hammett heads into coaching as Robbie Deans’s assistant for the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 having acted as a coaching assistant in 2006 when the side annexed its sixth Super rugby title.