Wanderers prop Ethan Reuben thought his rugby days were over 18 months ago.
In January last year, during his first rugby game in America, Ethan suffered a horrific broken leg.
“I shattered eight inches of my fibula and dislocated my ankle, and tore the cartilage up pretty good too.
“I got told I’d never play rugby again, which was pretty hard for me.”
But this year he was named the most improved senior player at the Wanderers Sports Awards on Saturday night at the Brightwater Hall.
He played a key role in the senior team winning back-to-back Nelson Bays division one rugby titles and has been named in the Tasman Griffins team.
Ethan came home from the US and was around the team for their win in 2015 and, with the help of his teammates, he began to train again.
The 23-year-old agreed to run the water bottles at a sevens tournament in Christchurch but was told he was on the reserves bench as a player.
“That gave me the confidence to know that I could play.
“Sure, I was worried my ankle was going to give out on me again, but once I got through a game my confidence came back.”
He says, while he may not be built for fast-paced sevens, he was grateful for the opportunity to play at that tournament.
Ethan has been a player for Wanderers since he was five-year-old and says the friendship and family of the club is a big part of its positive culture.
“To have teammates who make the effort to help train you to come back is pretty special – it’s like a brotherhood.”
Wanderers cricketer Hayden Ingham took home the Wanderers Sportsperson of the Year Award after his impressive performances over the summer.
