Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Taufa Funaki's rugby career was almost over before it started.
Six years ago, when he was a highly-touted young halfback on the cusp of his first Super Rugby season, Funaki suffered a concussion so severe he believed it would force him from the game.
"I had a pretty bad head-knock a few years ago [2020]. It took me a long time to get back and for a while I didn't think I was returning to rugby, but I was pretty lucky with the support I got."
The electric halfback said he battled serious symptoms which left him unable to do basic tasks.
"They were big headaches that got to a point where I had to learn how to read and write, it got that deep.
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