PAIN GAME

“My third World Cup, in New Zealand. I felt primed and ready, that this would be our World Cup as All Blacks. I was in such a good headspace, I thought I was in the prime of my career at 28 and I wanted to help steer the team to a first World Cup win in 24 years.

“This is the captain’s run before the Canada game. Earlier I’d been named captain for the first time – I’d been vice-captain for about three years behind Richie McCaw. I went into this training session feeling good.

“On my fourth kick at goal, after I made contact with the ball, I dropped to the ground.

A lot of people thought I was playing a joke on Graham Henry as he was quite anxious leading into Test matches; I made a bit of a scream and was quite theatrical apparently.

“In this photo I knew my World Cup dream was over. I’d kicked a million balls before this and I knew it was a serious injury. Sure enough, I’d torn my adductor off the pubic bone.

“It was the lowest point of my career and it was a battle getting back into a positive headspace, but I was able to get through this through supportive team-mates, friends and family.

“I still felt part of it (the win) but not as fulfilled as I’d have liked.”