Former Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone is looking to make a fairytale return to rugby after overcoming depression and a swag of injuries.
The 31-year-old is training with the Brumbies in a bid to win a contract for the 2013 Super Rugby season and has been described as the “fittest he’s ever been”.
Rathbone retired from rugby prematurely in 2009 after being sidelined repeatedly with groin, knee, facial and hamstring issues following 26 Tests and 52 games with the Brumbies.
The tackle-shedding flyer revealed in February this year he had a life-long battle with depression.
A Brumbies’ official confirmed Rathbone hoped to snare a vacant backs position.
“He’s one of several players looking at filling our last few positions,” he said.
“Clyde will continue on when we get back into full pre-season training in October and see how he goes.”
The Brumbies, who were unlucky to miss the finals, also have a second-row vacancy.
South African born, Rathbone captained his birth country’s under-21 side to World Cup victory in 2002 but then decided to play for Australia, which he qualified for through his Australian-born paternal grandmother.
Brumbies coach and fellow South African Jake White was his coach at that World Cup and the pair have remained close.
White offered him a chance earlier this season but Rathbone initially turned him down.
Student
Guest
yesssss!!! I have supreme confidence that Rath will be excellent coming back. Based on his articles here on the Roar, I think he's in a better space, philosophically, to play some rugger. 31 seems a bit on the old side, but then Jean de Villers is 32 and how long did Tana Umaga play? Figure Rath may not have the legs (??? though, I don't say this with a great degree of confidence...) for outside back, but he did start his rugby at 13. Good place for him to play next year as there are fewer collisions than at 12 (thus prolonging his career by keeping him off the injury list) and not as much pace required as at wing. Also, I think having an old head marshalling the brumbies defence from 13 would improve that aspect of their game. Given that White coached Rathbone at 13 for the SA U21 team, 13 seems a done deal in my mind. Looking forward to it!
redsnut
Guest
Wow, now that would be a potential sight to watch Rathbone on one wing, and J O'C on the other. Good luck Clyde, I hope it works out for you.
apelu
Guest
Best news I've heard since last Saturday. Somehting to look forward to, because there is nothing to look forward with the Wallabies we have. You cannot transfer the losing culture of the Waratahs to a winning formulae for the Wallabies in a comp with NZ and SA; the Argies fancy their chance of embrassing the Wallabies.
Frisky
Guest
Good luck Clyde. I have some great memories of your play
peterlala
Guest
He was a great player. He knows whats required. Good luck to him.
Bakkies
Guest
Chuck, White has lost a couple of players mid contract in the backs (Crawford to the Tahs, Situati to the Rebels) an experienced head in the backs is handy to take the weight off Leiliifano and McCabe who are still young.
Albo
Guest
I understand where you are coming from but there is another bigger picture here. How are those young players going to feel confidence wise when they don't have experience heads around them? You need to mix the two. Clyde Rathbone would be a great mentor to younger players and potentially still a quality player. After what he's been through, if he comes back now, it will be an inspiration not only to those players around him, but people who have been or are in a similar situation.
DingoBob
Guest
After watching Clyde run around in an ACT Legends side earlier in the year with a grin on his face the whole time I'm glad to see him giving it a go. He didn't appear to have lost any speed and looks very fit.
JB
Guest
It's always great to see someone get a 2nd chance. Hope you rip it up Clyde and have a great time doing it. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
chuck
Guest
Jake is now digging into the bottom of the barrel 31 come back when are you going to realize that a second tier comp is required urgently to bring the next crop through you want players whose Goal is too play for the Wallabies not too fill the gap in the super comp which is taking space or denying someone the opportunity of his dream to play for the wallabies