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Entertainment | Drugs

Whitiaua Black's road to redemption

Ngāi Tūhoe's Whitiaua Black is the youngest player ever to gain New Zealand Touch Open Men's honours. His fame on the field in recent years was second to none. However, his glittering rise to stardom took a dramatic turn to his biggest opponent yet - drugs.

His voice of leadership is now clear and distinct. But it wasn't always like that.

“I fed my body drugs that weren't good to take,” says Ngāi Tūhoe athlete Whitiaua Black.

It was a heartfelt sentiment Whitiaua Black revealed today. He's one of the most revered touch football players on the national scene. However, he fell victim to other endeavours.

Black says, “I had dug my own grave, but I pulled myself out and that's the good thing about family.”

He's the older brother of Hurricanes first-five eighths, Otere Black. He was touted as the next big Māori touch football superstar until his career path took a different turn.

“In time of darkness, you see who your real friends are. There is no friend truer than my brothers, my sister, my mum and my dad,” says Black.

Realising the light at the end of the dark tunnel, he has returned to the heat of the battle.

“I'm not afraid to say that I made a mistake. We all make mistakes, regardless of who you are,” says Black.

His first game as coach of the national side is tonight in Auckland against Australia.

“It's a big job. I'm a bit nervous at the moment. But the hard work has been done, and now it is all in the hands of the players.”

And his advice to the country's top touch players:

“It's not about you falling down, it's about how you get back on your feet.”

By the looks of things, the coach has already won the biggest battle yet.