Former prop Campbell Johnstone is the first All Black to publicly come out as gay.

The former player announced he was gay in an interview on current affairs program Seven Sharp on Monday.

The wider rugby community have expressed their pride and admiration for Campbell Johnstone since the statement aired.

Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave says this is an important step forward for New Zealand rugby because the All Blacks have such a public presence. 

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