Stephen Perofeta has opened up about the anxiety he endured during his latest injury rehab from persistently painful calf injuries, and the gratitude he now feels to be back in Super Rugby.
The 28-year-old played all 80 minutes of Saturday’s 19-15 loss to the Chiefs at Eden Park, the first time he’s worn the Blues’ No.10 jersey for a full game since 2024.
In fact, the 80 minutes Perofeta played in round one equate to more than half of the professional rugby he played in 2025. With the aforementioned calf issues present, the All Black managed just five cameos last Super Rugby season and missed the NPC season entirely.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, the playmaker reflected on the repeated injuries and spoke candidly about the mental strain they brought.
“At the time, it definitely came with its challenges around being out of the game and not doing what I love and what I get paid to do,” he told the podcast.
“It was tough, I found myself isolating myself, distancing myself from family and my partner. But the good thing was I had help and support, which I feel truly blessed about.
“Once I noticed it, and my partner said, ‘You’re doing this’, I got the help I needed around my mentals, but most importantly, I think a big part of the breakthrough was the faith and love of god. To bless me with all of these times of trials, knowing that at the end, I’m in a better position and the body and mind are a lot more aligned.
“I just feel at ease and at peace.”
Both calves have proved troublesome for the seven-time All Black, and it’s the persistent nature of them that has really unsettled him.
“It was just back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Compared to the first time I injured it, when I was like, ‘Alright, let’s get back into rehab, and we’ll make it right.’
“But then, it’s just the domino effect, I think, that had a big toll on the mind. I still wanted to get back and do my best to contribute when I would be back.
“It made me create a team around me where I knew exactly what to do, I had processes in place to make sure that I’m ready to go, ready to train.
“And then, working with mental skills coaches around returning to train and returning to play, how I can get back to that instinctive play that I really enjoy.
“There was a struggle, but going through it, there was light.”
Perofeta said there were numerous factors contributing negatively to his mental well-being, with his injuries casting doubt over what his future would hold.
“All of it. Future, doubt, anxiety. The pressure of myself overthinking, will I ever be fit and able to perform again at this level?
“But, throughout the whole journey, progress and improvement were encouraging for me, and the constant support from my physio, partner, family, friends, all of the circle were there the whole way for me.”