Mitchell finds new way to help Stags
Brayden Mitchell has accepted not being able to play for the Southland Stags this season and is now helping the team in another way.
The former captain is analysing line-out play and scrummaging of other teams to help the Stags prepare for games in the Mitre 10 Cup competition.
‘‘I still train lightly with the team but can’t do contact [moves],’’ Mitchell, 29, said.
He received some good news last week when gaining part-time employment as a sales rep for a major radio/media organisation.
‘‘I’m enjoying it. It’s brought me out of my comfort zone and broadened my horizons.’’
The injury that put him out of action will soon be operated on.
Mitchell is awaiting surgery on nerves in his neck that are causing numbness in his fingers and occasional pain in a foot and arm.
The injury was suffered while he was playing for Star in an early round of club rugby in May.
Mitchell was devastated when told he wouldn’t be playing for the Stags this season.
‘‘I sulked for a few days but I’m over it now. It’s fixable and there’s a lot worse things in life that can happen.’’
Sitting in the grandstand for the Stags’ first game of the season – against Hawke’s Bay – at Rugby Park on Sunday was not easy for Mitchell.
‘‘I hated the feeling of not being able to do anything and help the boys ... I’ll support them in other ways.’’
The Stags went down to Hawke’s Bay 31-10 after trailing 21-10 at halftime.
Despite the loss, Mitchell and coach Dave Hewett saw positive signs in the team and both are looking forward to the next game, against Tasman, in Blenheim on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Stags player Tayler Adam is still recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered in a preseason game against Northland.