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Bluffing

My Story of Rugby, Identity and Hiding in Plain Sight
By Campbell Johnstone
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Brief Description
A story of rugby, identity, and hiding in plain sight. A memoir from a former pro rugby player who grew up on a farm in New Zealand with a dream of one day playing for the All Blacks. The difficulty was, Campbell Johnstone was gay. Petrified... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Releases 2nd February 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Bluffing" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A story of rugby, identity, and hiding in plain sight.

A memoir from a former pro rugby player who grew up on a farm in New Zealand with a dream of one day playing for the All Blacks. The difficulty was, Campbell Johnstone was gay. Petrified his team-mates would find out, Campbell lived a closeted life, disguising his disinterest in women with alcohol and binge-drinking. He idolised his older brothers, his tough-as-nails father, and no-nonsense mother, but the thought of them finding out was unbearable.

Bluffing is Campbell's journey growing up in the 1980s against a backdrop of anti-gay sentiment and discrimination—it was still illegal for men to have sexual relations until 1986—and how he hid his true self during his journey through professional rugby. Campbell would eventually realise his childhood dream, playing for the All Blacks alongside greats of the game like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. But at what cost?

Bluffing is a journey by a young man navigating professional sport who ultimately finds happiness in accepting who he always was.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781775543350

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand)

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 February 2027

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 300g

Pages: 304

Collections

Biography & Memoir Campbell Johnstone Education & Reference LGBTQ+ New Zealand and Australia Published New Zealand Biographies New Zealand Non-Fiction New Zealand Published Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Pre-order Biographies Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Rugby Sports Sports Biographies Sports Books for Dad

About the Author

Campbell Johnstone is a former All Blacks and Crusaders prop who in January 2023 became the first All Black ever to publicly come out as gay - an announcement that travelled around the world. A three-test All Black, Crusaders forward and former Biarritz and Ospreys player, he is now an internationally recognised voice for authenticity, inclusion and leadership in male-dominated environments. Campbell played provincial rugby for Hawke's Bay, Canterbury, and Tasman, Super Rugby for the Crusaders, and represented the All Blacks in 2005 - including playing two tests against the British and Irish Lions. He played professionally in Europe for Biarritz (2008-2012) and the Ospreys (2012-13) before retiring in 2014. In January 2023 he came out publicly on TVNZ's Seven Sharp. He married his partner Ben Thomson in 2024.

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