1053 Derren Witcombe

Hooker Derren Witcombe had just one season in the All Blacks, in 2005, before a severe neck injury late that season threatened his career. He missed the 2006 Super 14 as a result but recovered so well that his form in the Air New Zealand Cup that year and the 2007 Super 14 suggested a recall in 2008 was a real possibility. But a collapsed scrum in the opening 2007 Air New Zealand Cup match caused a similar though less serious injury, resulting in him retiring on medical advice.

Born in Hobart, Tasmania Derren Witcombe was educated at Whangarei’s Pompallier College. He was first selected for Northland, from the Hora Hora club, in 2001, playing ten matches and mostly being preferred to veteran Jason Hammond. His form was good enough to earn selection for the Blues Super 12 team in 2002 where he came on as a substitute for Slade McFarland for the first six matches, then started the last five with McFarland on the bench. For Northland, who had a poor season, the hooking duties were again shared with Jason Hammond.

Moving to Auckland in 2003 he made 10 appearances for the Blues, but mostly as a replacement with All Black Keven Mealamu preferred. Witcombe was though the starting hooker for Auckland, helping them win the National Championship for the second successive year. The Rugby Almanack listed him among hookers who had a noteworthy season.

After playing the 2004 Super 12 (8 appearances) and coming on as a substitute for Andrew Hore in an All Black trial he missed the 2004 NPC season. 2005 was his big year. Backup to Mealamu through the Blues’ Super 12 campaign he received another trial, then made his All Black debut in the 91-0 defeat of Fiji at Albany. He retained his place in the squad during the Lions and Tri Nations series, making five appearances in all, four as a substitute, with Mealamu the first choice. Having apparently moved ahead of other hookers with All Black experience in Anton Oliver, Andrew Hore and Corey Flynn his season was cut short by the neck injury that caused him to be stretchered off Lancaster Park and took him out of contention for the end of season tour to Britain and Ireland.

Witcombe through passion and hard work recovered from the injury so well that he played through the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup campaign and the following year’s Super 14. He also represented New Zealand Juniors in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup matches before injury ended his fine career. He finished with 20 matches for Northland, 30 for Auckland, 53 for the Blues and five test matches.