'I felt pretty awful about myself': All Blacks star opens up on injury struggles
Rising All Blacks star Braydon Ennor has opened up on his injury struggles that put his test rugby aspirations on hold for more than two years.
After bursting onto the Kiwi rugby scene with the New Zealand U20 side, Canterbury and the Crusaders between 2017 and 2019, Ennor made his test debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in Buenos Aires two years ago.
While he missed out on World Cup selection later that year, that solitary appearance off the bench looked to kickstart a promising test career in the black jersey.
The 24-year-old’s rise in form continued with the Crusaders in 2020, which was enough to earn him selection for the South Island in the North vs South clash last September.
Disaster struck in that match, though, as Ennor was forced from the field early in the first half of the South Island’s dramatic 38-35 victory in Wellington with what proved to be a ruptured ACL.
The full extent of his injury wasn’t made clear until the days after the result, and although he was named in Ian Foster’s first-ever All Blacks squad in the lead-up to last year’s Bledisloe Cup series and Tri-Nations, Ennor was ruled out for eight months.
Following a return to action off the bench in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Aotearoa final win over the Chiefs in May, Ennor looked set to make his long-awaited All Blacks comeback after starring for the franchise throughout Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
He started at centre in four of his side’s five matches against Australian opposition and looked in fine form as the Crusaders fell agonisingly short of a second final appearance in the space of a month-and-a-half.
Rewarded with selection in the All Blacks squad to play Tonga and Fiji in July, Ennor was set to feature prominently as Foster aimed to build depth throughout his side for the international season ahead.
That was until the youngster was struck down by another injury on the eve of the season-opening test against Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium and was sidelined for further five weeks with appendicitis.
It was a cruel blow for Ennor, whose void in the match day squads was filled by other youngsters and inexperienced prospects such as David Havili and Quinn Tupaea.
Both players capitalised on the opportunities afforded to them by impressing against the Pacific Island nations, leaving Ennor down the national pecking order as the All Blacks set off for Australia for this year’s Rugby Championship.
If the All Blacks can muster up four tries against Italy on the weekend, they’ll set a new tier-one record for the season – despite still having two matches left to play. #AllBlacks #ITAvNZL https://t.co/xMZs8lGNja
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2021
As a result, he was confined to just one appearance off the bench in New Zealand’s 36-13 win over Los Pumas in Brisbane – his first test in 26 months – and had to wait another five weeks before taking to the field again.
That came in the All Blacks’ 104-14 demolition of the USA Eagles in Washington DC a fortnight ago, when he made his first test start in the midfield alongside Tupaea.
His performance in that match, and Foster’s desire to rest and rotate his squad ahead of the major season-ending tests against Ireland and France over the next two weeks, has enabled Ennor to start a second test on this end-of-year tour.
This time, the opposition is Italy at Stadio Olimico in Rome, and the lead-up to the clash against the Six Nations minnows on Sunday [NZT] has handed Ennor a chance to reflect on his journey back to the All Blacks after two poorly-timed injuries.
Both setbacks had significant physical and mental tolls on Ennor, who had already suffered a ruptured ACL on his other knee during his time at St Kentigern College in Auckland.
“It was frustrating, especially [because] I’ve done my ACL on my other knee back in school and then do the other one and just as I’m getting back into it, my appendix ruptures on me,” Ennor told reporters from Rome on Friday [NZT].
“It’s just all about keeping a clear mind and focussing on where you want to end up.
“There were times where I felt pretty awful about myself, lost a lot of weight and that sort of thing, not being able to eat properly and all those sorts of things for my appendix.
“But just kept my mind on where I wanted to end up, and that was here with the All Blacks, so pretty grateful to where I’ve ended up.”
Ennor was perhaps fortunate that he had a confidant in the form of Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks teammate George Bridge, who was ruled out of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman due to appendicitis.
The All Blacks will again run out with a relatively inexperienced line-up when they take on Italy this weekend but with Sam Cane and Dane Coles making their starting returns, they certainly aren’t devoid of leaders. #AllBlacks #ITAvNZL https://t.co/5h0O3pPDp9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2021
The support of Bridge and the Crusaders’ medical staff – one of whom was also a victim of the same condition heading into the season – helped ease Ennor’s rehabilitation process.
“Funnily enough, George Bridge had the exact same [problem] as I had a couple months prior and in fact, our Crusaders team doctor had it a couple of month earlier as well,” Ennor said.
“So there was actually a set-out process of how I was going to return, so that was pretty easy.”
Now injury-free, Ennor has the chance to prove his credentials in his fourth test as an All Black against the Italians, who he will face with Tupaea in tandem in New Zealand’s midfield.
The pair represent some of the best young talent in New Zealand’s backline stocks, and Ennor said both he and Tupaea are eager to let rip after limited game time in recent seasons.
“Any opportunity in the black jersey is pretty special,” he said.
“Guys like Quinn and myself haven’t had a run for a while and [we] get this time to show what we’ve got so we’re pretty keen and excited and, like I said, the black jersey’s pretty special too so to be bale to pull that on this week is pretty exciting.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments