How NPC stint has fuelled Knewstubb after tough All Blacks Sevens season

The All Blacks Sevens suffered their worst SVNS season ever in 2024/25, failing to win a cup tournament and finishing seventh out of 12 teams in the league standings.

Veteran Andrew Knewstubb, who debuted for the All Blacks Sevens in Sydney in 2017 and has competed in 41 tournaments while scoring 63 tries and accumulating 787 points, has been playing for Canterbury in the NPC and will return to the All Blacks Sevens with a renewed perspective.

“Last season was really challenging. There was a significant personal change after the Olympics, which we knew was coming, but it took us longer to reset than we would have liked,” Knewstubb admitted to RugbyPass.

“You invest four years trying to win the Olympics, and when you get a disappointing result like we did, it’s devastating. It was physically and mentally draining.

“With all the changes and losses, our team culture was up and down. There were disagreements between players and management. Some players were putting in 150 per cent, while others were only at 50 per cent. We weren’t on the same page. We have to work harder and smarter to overcome this.

“How do we do it? That’s a tough question. As a senior player, I’m looking to lead by example and make the environment as enjoyable as possible. Learning from mistakes and having honest conversations when necessary is vital too.

“The talent coming through is sharp. Frank Vaenuku is only 20, and he is a beast. Ollie Mathis is an awesome guy who works really hard. Joey Taumateine is another player I rate highly.

“But it’s tough all the time now; there are no easy games. Sometimes it can come down to a bit of luck, a referee’s call, or injuries.”

The All Blacks Sevens won 12 of the first 14 SVNS titles. In the last decade, Knewstubb has been part of the only other two All Blacks Sevens teams to win overall SVNS honours in addition to a Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2018 and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He acknowledges that the calibre of opposition has increased, citing Argentina (SVNS champions for the past two seasons) and Spain as formidable challengers.

“Argentina is one of the most experienced teams on the circuit. They understand the game and their roles, as shown by their ability to handle pressure and win matches.

“Spain’s ability to maintain possession for extended periods is uncanny. No matter how fit you are, if you can’t get the ball, you’ll eventually crack.

“They are all strong, fast athletes, and they bring something different to the game, footwork from their football skills. When you play against Southern Hemisphere opponents, you know their techniques and how they like to beat a man. Spain is more unpredictable in that regard.”

Knewstubb faced two ruptured ACLs, infections, prolonged hospital stays, and mental uncertainty in 2022 and 2023, challenges that nearly ended his All Blacks Sevens career. However, the guitar and Patu carver exudes mana and resilience.

“I haven’t spent much time thinking about how lucky I am to be playing or what I might be doing if I weren’t. I worked hard to come back to ensure I wasn’t fragile, and I want to keep playing this game as long as I can,” Knewstubb said.

Seeking a new challenge and looking to further improve his all-around game, he has played all 11 matches for Canterbury, switching between first five-eighths and fullback in the NPC.

On Saturday night, Canterbury will host Hawke’s Bay in Christchurch in a semi-final. They previously defeated the Magpies 26-7 during the round robin in Napier on August 22. The Red and Blacks topped the round robin with eight wins and a draw in ten matches. Last Sunday, they edged past Counties Manukau in a dramatic extra-time match, winning 23-15 in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve almost had to relearn how to play fifteens. The longer game duration and different pictures on attack and defence are the most obvious differences. Playing at first five or fullback also requires good kicking as territory is so important,” Knewstubb explained.

“The biggest difference I’ve noticed since I last played fifteens for Tasman in 2021 is the increased ruck speed. The ball is in play much more now, and the game is much faster.

“The match against Counties was hard yakka. She was blowing a gale, and Counties played smart in the first half by keeping the ball for extended periods and being very physical. We were bloody knackered. In the second half, we managed to take a leaf from their book and get the upper hand in extra time.”

The last time Canterbury played an NPC playoff match that went to extra time was in the 2018 final, where they lost to Auckland 40-33 at Eden Park. In a semi-final in 2012, Canterbury triumphed over Taranaki 51-27 in extra time in Christchurch, with All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett scoring two tries. Canterbury then went on to defeat Auckland 31-18 in the final.

On September 6, Knewstubb started at fullback when Canterbury slayed Southland 54-14 in Invercargill, winning the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 2020 and securing a record 17th successful challenge since 1927. Canterbury responded to the challenge from Tasman on September 14 with a 31-25 victory, highlighted by All Blacks hooker George Bell scoring a try after the siren to clinch the match. Knewstubb identified this win as a highlight of his 18-game Canterbury career.

“I was set up for a drop goal and thought, ‘Struth, am I actually going to have to kick this?’ Suddenly, George Bell found a gap. It was epic to win like that.”

Canterbury’s only loss in 2025 came at the hands of Otago six days later when they surrendered the Shield. A draw against Northland on September 28 raised further concern; however, those worries were dispelled by a decisive 34-14 win over Taranaki, in which Maori All Black Zach Gallagher scored three tries.

“We’ve got a good bunch of boys with a good balance between youth and experience. Everyone gets along, which means we don’t take each other too seriously off the field, but when it’s time to switch on, we’re all on the same page,” Knewstubb said.