He’s spent seven frustrating weeks on the sidelines, but Western Force winger Luke Morahan counts himself as lucky.
Morahan feared his Super Rugby season was over after he snapped a tendon in his left hamstring during the team’s round-nine win against the Waratahs.
After scans revealed the tendon had retracted five centimetres, surgery was a realistic option.
But given Morahan didn’t have a history of hamstring issues, the Force decided to let the injury heal naturally, with the 24-year-old now set to return after next month’s Test window.
“I’ve had no setbacks and it’s healed really quickly,” Morahan said on Wednesday.
“Normally it’s a 12-16 week injury, and I’m looking to come back around the 11-week mark.
“Already I’m running pretty quickly and feeling good about it.
“The strength might just come back a bit slower. But I don’t feel any difference at the moment. Hopefully I get back to the speeds I was running before.”
Morahan won’t be the only key cog to return for the Force’s home clash with the Blues on June 28.
Flanker Chris Alcock, centre Solomoni Rasolea, lock Hugh McMeniman, scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and inside centre Kyle Godwin are also set to resume.
The Force currently sit in fourth place, and they can boost their chances of securing a home final with a win over the Crusaders in Friday night’s clash in Christchurch.
The Perth-based franchise have never beaten the Crusaders in New Zealand, and their hopes of victory suffered a blow this week when in-form No.8 Ben McCalman was ruled out with a head gash.
But after watching the Force secure a franchise-record eighth win of the season last week, Morahan is backing his teammates to cause an upset.
“I think it was snowing there at the start of the week, so it’s a bit cold,” Morahan said.
“But we’ve proven in any situation this year we can rise above it and do well.”
Morahan played five seasons at the Reds before crossing to the Force at the end of last year.
The one-Test Wallaby was part of Queensland’s squad that won the title in 2011, and he feels something special is now building at the Force.
Rodknee
Guest
I think Haylett-Petty should go to 13, he has a great ability to off load and break a tackle, with Morohan on outside that could be a deadly combination
Chan Wee
Guest
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Tom Taylor, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (capt), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Tim Perry. Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Adam Whitelock, 23 Nafi Tuitavake. Western Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Patrick Dellit, 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Angus Cottrell, 7 Matt Hodgson (c), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan. Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Ryan Hodson, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Dillyn Leyds. Date: Friday, May 30 Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch Kick-off: 19.35 local (07.35 GMT, 08.35 BST) Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Mike Lash (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
DJW
Guest
Who would he come in for though? Cottrell, Hodgson and McCalman have been excellent so you wouldn't change that and Stander has been excellent of the bench. I also heard MMM could be back after international break.
Mudd
Guest
Agree with Crazy and Kipper. Nothing like keeping them all honest!!
kipper
Guest
Don't agree hammer. HP has played very when called upon. He might not have the speed of morahan but has shown he can beat opponents with a very good step
Hammer
Guest
Haylett-Petty keeping Morahan out, Please!!. We need him back urgently . Maybe that's why your called Crazy Horse
Nipper
Guest
Is Alcock set to return after the break as well? First time I've heard this - I thought he was done for the season? That would be fantastic.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Good news about Luke's injury although the way Haylett-Petty has been playing he'll have to fight to get back into the side. " ... he feels something special is now building at the Force." He's right there. The Force are still a work in progress. When finished they are going to be brilliant.