Julian Huxley says he’d love to play for the Wallabies again as he prepares to return to Super 14 rugby two years after a brain tumour threatened to end his career.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend paved the way for Huxley’s return to the field in professional rugby on Wednesday when he named the 30-year-old backline utility on his team’s bench for Friday night’s home match against the Chiefs.
“It was something I always thought I could do but didn’t know if it would happen,” said Huxley, who has played two games for the Brumbies reserves team since receiving the necessary clearances three weeks ago.
“The day has come and it seems the last two years have gone like a flash and I’m back there.”
While he was urged by people close to him to consider life beyond rugby in the wake of surgery to remove a benign brain tumour, Huxley said he never gave up on making a return to the field.
“There were certainly a lot of people who said, ‘maybe it’s time to move on’ but it was never based around any sort of fact with regards to the safety of it.
“But I just wanted to explore that fully and I kept waking up wanting to do it.
“Life’s too short to worry too much about the future and you have to do what you want to do today within reason.”
Huxley said his comeback is not about just filling gaps on the Brumbies bench and admitted he has hopes of adding to his six Wallabies caps earned in 2007.
“I’d love to play for the Wallabies again but that’s all way off down the track and if the last couple of years has taught me anything it’s not to look too far ahead,” he said.
“Whilst that would be great, I’m not putting too much pressure on it. I’m just really enjoying being able to get back out there and if the chance comes to get on the field on Friday I certainly won’t be trying to set the world alight.”
Brumbies coach Andy Friend said Huxley would be thrown into the action if needed.
“He’s only had two games in two years so it is a big call but the experience that he brings us and the control at the back of the field is something I think as a team we may well need,” Friend said.
“He’s like any player in the squad. If he’s good enough there’s an opportunity for him there.”
Huxley was diagnosed with the brain tumour in March 2008, three days after collapsing and convulsing on the field following a head knock in a match against the Queensland Reds.
He has played 53 Super rugby matches for the Brumbies and previously for the Reds and has remained contracted to the ACT club since his tumour was diagnosed.
“It’s a big day for Julian and obviously his family, and for rugby,” Friend said.
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