Wallabies speedster Lachie Turner has emerged from a dark time individually and with the Waratahs to force his way back into the international rugby reckoning.
The 15-Test winger was sidelined for all but the last two rounds of the Super season after tearing his hamstring off the bone in a pre-season hitout.
Turner’s prospects of a Test recall in the coming Rugby Championship improved after being named on Monday in the first 27-man Wallabies training squad for that tournament, which starts next month.
“Given the options of being told you are out for the season and you may not ever get back, it’s extremely satisfying to make it here,” Turner said.
He reiterated the doctors had told him he was a 90 per cent chance of getting back to between 98 and 100 per cent of his top speed.
Turner was was candid about his current state of match fitness.
“Personally I think I’ve got a long way to go, I certainly feel my game can grow a little bit more,” Turner said.
“I’m certainly stronger than I was prior to the injury now and its just a matter of getting those little things and explosiveness back and the pace.”
Turner could do nothing to help NSW till the latter stages of a season that gleaned only four wins from 16 games
“Psychologically it was tough, this is the first extended period for me on the sidelines,” Turner said.
“It was a very frustrating year for everyone involved at the Tahs.
“We were close in a lot of ways and we were a long way off in a lot of other ways, so it was frustrating and I certainly had some dark times.”
Despite their miserable season, NSW suppled almost half of the train-on squad.
Uncapped prop Paddy Ryan was one of 13 Waratahs chosen for the July 24-26 camp in Sydney.
A specialist tighthead prop, Ryan was a regular reserve for NSW until an injury to Wallaby Sekope Kepu enabled him to start the Tahs last two games.
He praised NSW coach and former Wallaby hooker Michael Foley for his scrummaging work.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Really wish Deans would stop watching Monty Python !!
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Yeah, good point Jutsie. Wasn't selected in the WC squad, out all season, had two forgettable games for the Waratahs and is now in the training squad. Yet another Robbie Deans clanger!
Jutsie
Guest
Seriously whats with all the whingeing from QLD supporters lately. His in the TRAINING SQUAD, not the test team, if he needs to improve his fitness what better way than to train with the other wallaby hopefuls and be monitored by the wallaby strength and conditioning staff. And he has never got an armchair ride for the wallabies, if you recall he was not even selected in the RWC squad.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
He was a standout in his last Woodies match, won rucks, ran hard etc but agree with FO he needs more game time. If he were to work on his passing and show more game awareness and vision he could be a candidate for the 'big inside centre' option currently in vogue.
Murph73
Guest
The guy made six tackle attempts against the Reds and missed four. Yep. Bring him back into the Wallabies. After all, there's no other outside backs in Australian rugby who are more deserving, surely! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
ncart
Guest
I assume that this is simply getting some of the come back from injury players around the training program so they can be assessed and given a program to follow to get up to speed. I hope so because surely you couldn't seriously consider selecting for tests a player who has missed the whole season and has shown no indication of their previous abilities in the few games they have played since recovering. Personally I would much prefer to see only players who are fully fit and demonstrating their capabilities to be part of any squad, no matter how large, so that it sends a message that we're only looking at you when you show us that you can perform at this level. Selecting on past reputations has shown its folly in the past, even Michael Foley has now realised that apparently.
formeropenside
Guest
Force his way back? He is clearly not up to Super Rugby at the moment, but being from NSW gets a magic carpet ride into the Wallaby squad. Should be regaining fitness playing club rugby.