New Zealand rugby has been buzzing with the news of Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua's fierce battle with a series of debilitating injuries, particularly concussions, which sidelined him for significant stretches. The 28-year-old missed the All Blacks’ recent Grand Slam tour due to ongoing concussion protocols but has now declared his headaches gone and readiness to return to Super Rugby action in 2026.
Aumua, a dynamic force in the 2024 All Blacks squad, faced a tough decision after recurrent injuries, including a severe head knock during a recent match, which led to persistent headaches. "Just back-to-back injuries and head knocks took a toll," Aumua explained, reflecting on his challenging year. The decision to step back from the game turned out to be pivotal.
"It was probably one of the best decisions I made because I was struggling a bit with headaches,"
he confessed.
The hooker's last appearance for the national team in 2024 was memorable, contributing to New Zealand's 23-13 victory over Ireland in Dublin. However, his 2025 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just eight appearances for the Hurricanes and missing out on the All Blacks' three-Test series against France.
After another head injury during a game against Auckland, which caused him to lose parts of the day from his memory, Aumua had a significant conversation with Wellington head coach Trent Renata.
"I had a sit down with him and he said there is more to things than rugby... He said 'I just think you should take your time and if you don’t want to play, don’t worry about me, I have got your back, you are all good',"
Aumua recounted.
This advice echoed the tragic story of Shane Christie, a former player forced into early retirement by concussion symptoms. It was a sobering reminder for Aumua, who now acknowledges the importance of considering his health and family first. "I have to look after myself. If I am not feeling 100% then see what’s best for my family and my kids," he stated, casting an eye toward a safer, more measured return to the sport he loves.
With a clean bill of health from specialists and a new season on the horizon, Aumua is eager to lace up his boots for the Hurricanes and, hopefully, reclaim his spot on the All Blacks roster, bringing his resilience and power back to the pitch where it belongs.
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New Zealand rugby has been buzzing with the news of Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua's fierce battle with a series of debilitating injuries, particularly concussions, which sidelined him for significant stretches. The 28-year-old missed the All Blacks’ recent Grand Slam tour due to ongoing concussion protocols but has now declared his headaches gone and readiness to return to Super Rugby action in 2026.
Aumua, a dynamic force in the 2024 All Blacks squad, faced a tough decision after recurrent injuries, including a severe head knock during a recent match, which led to persistent headaches. "Just back-to-back injuries and head knocks took a toll," Aumua explained, reflecting on his challenging year. The decision to step back from the game turned out to be pivotal.
"It was probably one of the best decisions I made because I was struggling a bit with headaches,"
he confessed.The hooker's last appearance for the national team in 2024 was memorable, contributing to New Zealand's 23-13 victory over Ireland in Dublin. However, his 2025 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just eight appearances for the Hurricanes and missing out on the All Blacks' three-Test series against France.
After another head injury during a game against Auckland, which caused him to lose parts of the day from his memory, Aumua had a significant conversation with Wellington head coach Trent Renata.
"I had a sit down with him and he said there is more to things than rugby... He said 'I just think you should take your time and if you don’t want to play, don’t worry about me, I have got your back, you are all good',"
Aumua recounted.This advice echoed the tragic story of Shane Christie, a former player forced into early retirement by concussion symptoms. It was a sobering reminder for Aumua, who now acknowledges the importance of considering his health and family first. "I have to look after myself. If I am not feeling 100% then see what’s best for my family and my kids," he stated, casting an eye toward a safer, more measured return to the sport he loves.
With a clean bill of health from specialists and a new season on the horizon, Aumua is eager to lace up his boots for the Hurricanes and, hopefully, reclaim his spot on the All Blacks roster, bringing his resilience and power back to the pitch where it belongs.