Less than a year after fearing his rugby career might be over, former Wallabies star Clyde Rathbone is ready for a heartening Brumbies comeback at full capacity.
Grounded by chronic knee problems, Rathbone will play his first provincial match in two years when the Brumbies meet the Highlanders in a Super 14 trial on Friday night.
The tackle-shedding winger will come off the bench at Canberra Stadium as one of eight Wallabies in the 29-man Brumbies squad.
“It’s a long time between drinks,” he told AAP on Wednesday.
“To be honest there were times where I thought maybe that’s it.”
Rathbone has no immediate thoughts of adding to his 26 Tests but believes he’ll be able to hit the same playing heights that made him the 2004 Wallabies rookie of the year.
Although the 27-year-old will manage his training workload each week, he’s convinced he can play at top speed and strength.
“I’m not kidding myself into thinking I’ve got a perfect knee but it’s really well managed,” he said.
“If it’s managed well through the week I can get to Saturday and play at 100 per cent whereas if I overload it it becomes an issue where you carry it through week to week.
“It’s in good shape to get through the Super 14, no problem.”
Rathbone’s last match for the Brumbies was when he injured his knee against the Lions in Johannesburg in March 2007.
He played his last Test in 2006, and only returned to the playing field at the end of last year’s Sydney club season for Eastern Suburbs.
But Rathbone is determined to achieve his primary short-term goal of regaining his starting place on the Brumbies wing.
“You don’t do all that hard work to be sitting on the bench,” he said. “I definitely want to be starting.
“For me really it’s about every week enjoying my rugby again, staying injury free, hopefully playing a little bit better every week and building some momentum and wherever that takes me we’ll wait and see.”
While Wallabies 2008 spring tourists Mark Chisholm, Peter Kimlin and Ben Alexander have been picked to start in the Brumbies forward pack against the Hurricanes, Test stars Stirling Mortlock, George Smith, Stephen Moore and Adam Ashley-Cooper are being rested.
Brumbies: Mark Gerrard, Peter Betham, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Tyrone Smith, Francis Fanifo, Christian Lealiifano, Josh holmes; Stephen Hoiles (capt), Julian Salvi, Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm, Shawn Mackay, Guy Shepherdson, John Ulugia, Nic Henderson. Res: Nathan Charles, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Hand, Patrick Phibbs, Matt Toomua, Pat McCabe, James Stannard, Clyde Rathbone, Henry Vanderglas, Salesi Ma’afu, Anthony Hegarty, Talalelei Gray, Sanualio Afeaki.
Ben J
Guest
He won the u/21 world cup as a centre and that is his best position. Any bets on how long his new knee will last , especially against his old countrymen?
I thought I was a footy nut...
Guest
I think there is some merit in using him as a traditional battering-ram inside-centre! Though his passing skills are questionable, as are his kicking skills, he could inflict some real damage. He can take a hit too! This could be an option against some of the big south african sides, and especially against ma'a nonu and the hurricanes.
gatesy
Guest
Probably because he now has to compete with Mortlock, Ashley Cooper, Fairbanks, and Smith for the spot, whereas he is probably more useful on the end of the line - but it will be interesting to see how Andy Friend sees him, and whether he is encouraged to roam a bit.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
gatesy, that is my recollection also. He played on the wing for Easts last season. So why isnt he still in the centres or at least considered as a centre??
gatesy
Guest
Don't forget he originally came to Australia as a centre, having played there under Jake White as an u/21, and started with the Brumbies in that role. He got his start off the bench with the Wallabies if I recall when Wendell injured himself in a warm up and the rest is history. He had a blinder that night and has been stuck on the wing since, though i recollect he might have played in the centres for Easts in Sydney last season?
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
It is great to see the white rhino back. His comment about managing his knee is a worry though. I would have thought that after so much time out of the game, it would be 100%. Anyway, the sight of him in full flight down the wing is wonderful. I believe that he played 13 for SA age teams. Yet, under several coaches, he has never left the wing. He has he build for a great 12 or 13 cum winger rather than a winger cum fullback, if oyu know what I mean. It will be interesting if he is able to translate possession into tries on the end of the Brumbies backline. Phibbs/Holmes, Toomua/Lealifano, Mortlock, AAC could be useful.