Joe Webber returns to All Blacks Sevens nine months after being retired without his consent

Joe Webber is back in an All Blacks Sevens jersey, nine months after New Zealand Sevens publicly celebrated the end of his career — a farewell the 33-year-old says he never actually agreed to. The three-time Olympian was recalled by incoming head coach Willie Rickards and featured at the Mount Manganui Sevens and Ignite7 tournament at Tauranga’s Blake Park on October 31 and November 1.

“It wasn’t actually my decision,” Webber said. “The coach at the time, Tomasi [Cama], I think he sort of retired me but I didn’t say I wanted to retire. I just didn’t get recontracted at the end of last year.”

In mid-February, New Zealand Sevens had posted a tribute on social media drawing the curtain on Webber’s 15-year career. Two-time Olympic gold medallist Sarah Hirini, All Blacks Sevens great DJ Forbes, and former All Blacks winger Charles Piutau were among those who commented with congratulations. The door, it seemed, was firmly shut.

But Webber had not lost the appetite to play. After stepping away from the programme, he moved into teaching and accepted an invitation from Bay of Plenty Steamers coach Richard Watt to play provincial rugby during the NPC season. He made six appearances for the Steamers, operating on the wing and at inside centre, and signed off the regular season with a double against North Harbour on October 4.

While Webber was playing provincial rugby, the All Blacks Sevens were undergoing a coaching transition. Willie Rickards replaced Cama as head coach, bringing in former captain Scott Curry and All Blacks great Liam Messam as part of his new coaching group. It was Rickards who saw enough in Webber to bring him back into the fold.

“I was still keen,” Webber said. “I thought I could still give maybe another year or two but once Tomasi told me I wasn’t getting the contract, I thought, ‘I had a good run so that’s me done.’ Grateful that Willie still saw the value in having me here and giving me another shot to play and hopefully add a bit of value to the group.”

Webber’s return carries considerable weight given the career he is extending. He won five SVNS World Series titles, claimed two Commonwealth Games medals, and earned a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics — a résumé that made the February send-off feel entirely warranted at the time.

His teammates have not let him forget the unusual circumstances of his comeback. “They’re giving me a bit of sh**,” Webber admitted. “It did feel a bit weird coming back after doing a big farewell.”

With Rickards now in charge and a fresh coaching structure around him, Webber will be hoping the second chapter of his All Blacks Sevens career proves as decorated as the first.