In an interview with the New Zealand Herald, Derren Witcombe talks about his long road to recovery after a career-ending neck injury.
"Derren Witcombe didn't know what he was going to do. His rugby career went down with him after his neck injury in a collapsed scrum during Auckland's opening game of the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup campaign.
"The former All Blacks hooker had always been told his rugby career could be over at any time but Witcombe had hoped it might be years later than 28. His neck, however, dealt to those thoughts. He had spent time in forestry before becoming a professional rugby player but didn't have many options.
"Four years later, Witcombe is very clear about what he wants to do. Yesterday, he was back where his professional career started, this time coaching the Northland forward pack in their ITM Cup season opener against Tasman. At 32, he is one of the youngest professional coaches in the country. It's been an incredible and somewhat fortuitous journey."
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