Canterbury star Ngane Punivai has described his brutal battle with long COVID, after making a sensational return to rugby.
The winger was diagnosed with the condition in April, while playing Super Rugby for the Highlanders, and was forced to sit out almost five months.
With no timeframe on when he could return, Punivai was forced to watch his teammates bounce back from the illness from the sidelines.
But since making his long-awaited comeback against Tasman just two weeks ago, he has been a revelation for Canterbury, starring in wins over North Harbour and Hawke's Bay, with tries in each.
Punavai admits the experience of long COVID was difficult, and the unknown of why it was happening to him or when he could return to rugby was the toughest ordeal.
"It was really tough," he told AM. "Obviously, my job is a really physical job and I have to be physically fit, and COVID took that all away from me.
"I wasn't able to walk for 10 minutes on the treadmill without feeling like I had just run a marathon. It was physically really tough, but also the mental struggle as well, by not being able to do my job properly… it was really hard.
"That was probably one of the hardest things, seeing all my mates get COVID and then playing the next week, but here I was, sitting on the sidelines for almost five months, just watching.
"I saw a number of different doctors and specialists, and they all did scans on all my organs, and said I was looking fit and healthy.
"The only thing that could explain it was long COVID and they don't know why it affected me differently from others. They also couldn't prescribe a return-to-play timeframe, which was probably the most difficult thing."
Punvai's resurgence, coupled with younger brother Isaiah's performances, has Canterbury riding a three-game win streak and atop their NPC conference.
He admits the battle with long COVID has been a humbling experience, but cherishes putting on the boots once more.
"This whole long COVID thing has put it in perspective of how lucky I am to have the job I do and to be able to play rugby for a living," he said.
"Having that taken away from me made me realise I probably took it for granted a little bit and the last couple of games, I've been making the most of every minute."
