Jacob Ratumaitivuki-Kneepkens- "I scored a try with a broken neck!"

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is one of the brightest young talents in New Zealand rugby and after hearing this one you’ll understand why. A proud Taranaki lad who went from Blues prospect to Highlanders playmaker — his story takes a wild turn when a routine game left him with a fractured neck… and he somehow stayed on to score a try. What followed is a powerful story of perspective, gratitude, and rediscovering his love for the game. Jacob’s honesty and maturity in this chat are unreal, and the way he speaks about identity, family and resilience is seriously inspiring. In this episode we go through.. • Growing up in Taranaki and his Fijian/Dutch heritage • Breaking into Super Rugby straight out of school • Losing the love for rugby and finding it again in Dunedin • The incredible story of playing on with a broken neck • How close he was to being paralysed • The mindset shift that changed everything • Life beyond rugby — content creation, purpose and gratitude • Who’s the fastest Highlander? • Why he’ll never take the game for granted again Jacob is genuine, humble and wise beyond his years — this episode will make you laugh, make you think, and make you appreciate the game even more.