‘Just so grateful’: Andrew Knewstubb back in black after two years of injuries
Andrew Knewstubb “never had any doubt” that he’d be back in black on the SVNS Series. It hasn’t been easy, far from it, but after two years of injury setbacks, the All Blacks Sevens playmaker realised that dream on the opening night at SVNS LAX.
Knewstubb, 28, ruptured his ACL for the first time about two years ago in Singapore, Then, about 12 months later, the New Zealander injured his knee for a second time and had to undergo another operation.
That wasn’t all, either. The Olympian picked up an infection two weeks after his second knee surgery, so Knewstubb had to return to hospital.
While days turned into months during what must’ve been a challenging rehabilitation process, the tough road back to the SVNS Series came to an end in the City of Angles, Los Angeles.
Knewstubb was included in the All Blacks Sevens’ travelling squad for both events in North America but didn’t take the field in Vancouver. But after another week away from the action, the Kiwi joined his teammates in running out onto Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday.
To add to the drama and significance of the momentous occasion, New Zealand came up against arch-rivals Australia in their tournament opener in the USA.
“Pretty emotional that first game. It was pretty tough to try and stay composed a bit,” Knewstubb told RugbyPass.
“I was stoked to get that first one out of the way, even though we lost which was a little bit disappointing.
“I was trying to stay pretty stoic the whole time, not trying to let the emotions get too caught up but it was probably as I put the jersey on before I was about to run out to that Aussie game,” he added.
“All the emotions caught up on me. It’s not just the injuries, there’s been other stuff that’s happened.
“It definitely hit me as I was running out and I thought, ‘Far out, I’m just so grateful to be back out there with the boys’.”
It seems impossible to relate to an athlete and what they have to do during their long-term injury rehabilitation. For all that fans watch on social media, there’s plenty that they don’t see during an athlete’s uncertain journey back to full fitness.
But, clearly, Knewstubb didn’t leave a single stone unturned. The New Zealander ‘won’ the All Blacks Sevens’ Bronco test with an incredible time of at least four minutes and 12 seconds.
Knewstubb laughed when this was brought up, saying he “hadn’t really been doing anything else” other than running during his injury layoff. But it was all building to that moment against Australia in L.A.
“I never had any doubt,” Knewstubb explained.
“Trying not to sound arrogant but I was just so determined to get back out there on the field and I think it was whether I was going to be able to offer something to the team or not, I think that was probably the biggest thing.
“But I was so committed to getting back out there no matter what life threw at me.
“I was bloody committed and there were definitely times were I thought maybe the body might not let me get back but I’m just stoked to be back.”
Offload after offload 👌@nz_sevens are spicing it up on day 2 🌶️#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSLAX pic.twitter.com/37nBkhigdA
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 2, 2024
Knewstubb scored New Zealand’s first try in Los Angeles but poor discipline cost the Kiwis as they fell 17-24 against their arch-rivals Australia on Friday.
Needing to bounce back on Saturday morning against Samoa, Knewstubb played a pivotal role in the All Blacks Sevens’ hard-fought 10-7 victory.
The skilful playmaker played a part in Joe Webber’s first try in the second minute, but stood out shortly after with a sensational offload which sent Webber over for a double.
“Like I said, my bloody goalkicking put us under stress a wee bit but we got the win and that’s what we’re after,” Knewstubb said.
“Samoa have taken us right to the end over the whole season so we’re stoked to get the win.
“Now we’re going to be up against the USA at home, probably the crowd will be at its best so I’m looking forward to that one, it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
1 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
3 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
3 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
3 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to comments