Liam Squire's decision to spurn the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup advances has been praised by former Test great Buck Shelford, after the versatile loose forward opted to focus on his own mental health.
After initially turning down the chance to play in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign, Squire's form for Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup was enough for Steve Hansen to offer him a place in his 31-man squad for this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.
However, Squire instead spurned Hansen's advances once again, not ready to return to the Test arena and available only in the scenario of an injury to another frontline loose forward.
Speaking to 1 NEWS today, former Test number eight and men's advocate Shelford spoke of the positives in Squire's decision.
"It's great that he has come out publicly," Shelford began.
"A lot of people knew that he was having a few problems, but nobody really knew what it was because he had stepped down.
"One of the big things when you have health problems, especially men's health, you've got to talk to people.
"He's talked to the whole nation, everyone knows now. By telling the media, a lot of other men with the same problems will come out and tell their mates, rather than hold it in. Then we can do something about it, we can support him, wrap him up with a lot of friends, good friends can support him through his journey."
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