Campbell Johnstone hopes that coming out as gay will help others within New Zealand's sporting community.
Johnstone, who played three times for the All Blacks, including in a Test series against the British and Irish Lions in 2005, confirmed he was gay on a current affairs television programme on Monday.
He is the first openly gay player to have been involved within the All Blacks set-up.
"If I open up that door and magically make that closet disappear, then we're going to help a lot of people," said Johnstone.
"I pushed that side of me down deeper and deeper. I went to some interesting places."
In an interview credited to TVNZ, Johnstone expressed his hope that him becoming the first All Black to come out might help others feel more comfortable in their own skin.
"If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and the stigma that comes with that issue then it can actually help other people.
"Yes, it is [a big thing], to be able to do that could possibly be one of the final pieces of the puzzle for New Zealand sports."
The ex-Crusaders player also said he had been "living a lie".
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson, who played alongside Johnstone at Canterbury, commended his old team-mate's strength and courage.
"On behalf of the New Zealand rugby community and as a former team-mate, I want to acknowledge and support Campbell for sharing his authentic story. Your strength and visibility will pave the way for the others in our game," said Robinson.
"Rugby is a sport that is welcoming to everyone and a place where people should feel safe to be who they are.
"We know that there are people who have not always been comfortable to be who they are in rugby. We want to be clear, no matter who you love, rugby has your back."
Controversial Steward red card overturned
England fullback Freddie Steward has been cleared to play for his country with immediate effect after the red card he received against Ireland was overturned.
Steward was dismissed in England's final Six Nations clash of this year's tournament as they lost 29-16 to Grand Slam winners Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
The 22-year-old received the contentious red near the end of the first half after his shoulder connected with the head of Hugo Keenan.
Steward appeared before an independent disciplinary committee via video link to protest his innocence.
The committee determined that head contact with an opposing player had occurred and believed it had been an act of foul play, adding Steward "had been reckless in his actions and in his upright positioning as he approached and came into highly dangerous contact with the other player".
However, it was also decided that "there were sufficient mitigating factors including the late change in the dynamics and positioning of the opposing player which should have resulted in the issue of a yellow card rather than a red card".
The decision means Steward will not face a ban and is free to play again immediately.
England captain Owen Farrell said after the game: "I was surprised [at the red card] if I am honest. But it is not up to us, we don't make the rules, we don't put them in place, we don't hear what goes on on the ref mic and the process that they go through.
"That is the decision they came to and you have to accept it."
Hazlewood moves top of ICC's ODI bowling rankings ahead of Boult and Siraj
Australia's Josh Hazlewood has moved to the top of the ICC's ODI bowler rankings for the first time in his career after Mohammed Siraj slipped to third.
Siraj conceded 37 runs off just three overs in India's 10-wicket loss to Australia on Sunday, which caused the paceman to slump behind Hazlewood and New Zealand's Trent Boult.
Mitchell Stark took 5-53 in that rout, equalling the record number of five-wicket ODI hauls by an Australian bowler.
Hazlewood's rise to the top of the rankings comes despite the 32-year-old having not played in an ODI since November, while his last appearance in any format came in January.
However, he is expected to be back playing for this year's Ashes series in England, which commences on June 16 at Edgbaston.
Meanwhile, Kane Williamson has moved up four spots to second in the Test batting rankings behind Marnus Labuschagne.
Williamson scored a remarkable 215 runs in New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka in their two-match series, which the Black Caps won 2-0.
New Zealand rushed Robertson appointment, says Hansen
New Zealand would have been better off biding their time before announcing Ian Foster's replacement, according to former head coach Steve Hansen.
The All Blacks confirmed on Tuesday that Crusaders coach Scott Robertson will succeed Foster after this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
Robertson, who lost out to Foster on the position when Hansen stood down four years ago, has been handed a deal that will run through until after the next World Cup in 2027.
Foster revealed earlier this month he would not be reapplying for the job when his contract expires in November.
The 57-year-old questioned New Zealand Rugby (NZR)'s decision to find his successor while their tournament preparations are in full swing.
NZR said "significant competition for elite coaching talent" forced them to act now, but Hansen believes that decision may backfire.
"I think they got burned last time so they were worried about that," he told The Platform podcast. "What they didn't take into account was everybody had their coaching sorted.
"In my opinion, they would have been better to wait, but in their opinion they wanted to push the button and they've done that.
"They're in charge of New Zealand Rugby, so it's them that die and fall on these decisions.
"Just like coaches there's got to be repercussions if it doesn't work. If it does work, well they've been super."
Robertson played 23 Tests for New Zealand and has been praised for his work since moving into coaching, having won six successive Super Rugby titles with Crusaders.
That made Robertson an obvious contender to take over as the All Blacks' next head coach, but Hansen questioned NZR's handling of the situation.
"It doesn't come as a surprise because he's been offered the job. [Foster] fought back and maintained it [last year]. He was obviously the prime candidate," Hansen said.
"I don't know who else applied and they're not telling us, so I think [NZR's] leading us in the dark whether there was more than one candidate or not."
New Zealand, who are third in the rankings, begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against hosts France before facing Namibia, Italy and Uruguay.
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