The longevity of international rugby players

The longevity of New Zealand international rugby players (All Blacks) is compared with the New Zealand male population to test the hypothesis that vigorous leisure time physical activity in the form of rugby in early adulthood is associated with an increased longevity. Data on 822 All Blacks since 1884 are compared with information from New Zealand life tables for males. The life expectancy of All Blacks is the same as the general population although non-Maori All Blacks live almost ten years longer than Maori All Blacks.