Nankivell can stomach hardship
With the appendix removed, Nankivell has had no stomach pain in the year since.
Despite being limited to four bench appearances and one start in 2018, he re-signed with the Chiefs for a further two years, sensing better things to come.
Then, in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup came a broken eye socket and hamstring tendinopathy. And just as he was impressing as the Chiefs’ best midfielder in this year’s pre-season, he sprained both his knee and ankle in the final trial match against the Reds in Brisbane.
‘‘It’s a recurring thing with me,’’ he said of his injury woes.
A quality attitude has kept him on the right track.
‘‘For me, when it happens it’s a shame, but if I turn up negative to the team environment I’m just bringing the other people down around me. So I just try and stay as positive as I can.
‘‘It’s an injury, it’s not going to keep you out forever, so you still get an opportunity to work hard, do your rehab and get back and have another crack at trying to get in the team. That’s what drives me.’’
With that mindset, it’s no wonder the skilful 1.88m, 98kg midfielder was the one shining light amidst the gloom around FMG Stadium Waikato last Saturday. After one training week back, where he struggled with the intensity there, Nankivell was listed on the bench to face the Sunwolves, only for Tumua Manu’s game-eve injury see him promoted to start – at centre, having trained the week at second five-eighth.
In a dismal 30-15 loss for the hosts, Nankivell ended up playing the entire 80 minutes, making the Chiefs’ most metres (78), beating five defenders, making three clean breaks and latching onto a Damian McKenzie chip over the top for his first Super Rugby try.
‘‘There’s obviously always things you can work on, and for me I still want to grow my game in different areas but for a first game back without having played 80 [minutes] in a while I was pretty happy with the way I went,’’ he said.
Now it’s a trip down to familiar territory in Christchurch, the city where he grew up.
When playing for Christchurch Boys’ High School in his final year in 2014, now Crusaders outside back Will Jordan was playing halfback, so that will be one of a few good reunions.
‘‘I’ve got all my mates down there, my family’s down there, so it’s pretty exciting to go back. I should have a few people in the crowd that I know, so that’ll be pretty cool,’’ Nankivell said.
‘‘And obviously I play for Tasman and a lot of the Tassy boys are down playing for the Crusaders.
‘‘It’s exciting to go up against your mates, and it’ll be a good challenge for us.
‘‘You can get your head down after three losses, but one thing that we can do is just stay tight together and show that we can bounce back from it.’’ Blues prop Mike Tamoaieta was yesterday farewelled by family and friends, a week after his sudden death aged 23.
His family, friends, rugby coach and partner recalled "Mikey T" as a warm cuddly character, as hundreds said goodbye at the Hope Centre in South Auckland.
Rugby was a predominant theme, with his schoolboy coach Dave Dillon speaking, the Blues squad attending, the stage decked out with Blues jerseys.
All Blacks were scattered among the mourners with Michael Jones, Blues midfield back Ma’a Nonu, Blues coaches Tana Umaga and Leon MacDonald, and former New Zealand coach John Hart there.
Tamoaieta’s family asked that no photos be taken or posted on social media.
Tears flowed as his sister, partner and mother recalled "Mikey T", though at times there was laughter, and joy at the recollection of his crushing hugs. Tamoaieta played 10 Super Rugby games for the Blues last year and was involved pre-season this year, but not then contracted.
His Sacred Heart College rugby coach Dillon said the big man’s skills were apparent when he arrived at the school.
When he saw Tamoaieta play he thought "Far out, who’s this kid?", he told mourners. Though he was to grow into a 118kg prop, Tamoaieta had plenty of skills, Dillon said.