Rathbone ready for Super comeback

Rathbone ready for Super comeback

Brumbies coach Jake White says Clyde Rathbone is likely to be considered for the first game of the new Super Rugby season.

Rathbone (31) is making his comeback to rugby after three years on the sideline. He took part in an opposed training session last Friday, and White is confident that he will feature in the two pre-season hit-outs against the Western Force and an ACT side.

White told the Canberra Times that Rathbone has overcome the injuries that have dogged him for the past few years, as well as his depression.

‘He’s waited a long time and you can see he’s still got it,’ White said. ‘Just the little things he does: a big tackle, the pick up and chip down the field, it’s reminiscent of what he was like.

‘I’m chuffed for him and mentally [the opposed session on Friday] will be a massive step for him; he will be confident that he can do it. If he’s in the mix for the Reds game he’ll get more time in the last trial and all I was worried about was mentally whether he had the demons in his head. But I can see he’s ready to go.’

White suggested that Rathbone could get an opportunity in the second half of this Friday’s clash against the Force. The player himself can’t wait to get back on to the park.

‘The whole idea of the trials is to tick a box, it’s a step in getting back to playing again and if I get some more time this week it will be another step forward,’ Rathbone said.

‘I wasn’t worried about any lack of desire. My nerves were just about being in the right space and not being too anxious or trying too hard. The key is to get more running in my legs, but if 16 February rolls around and I’m in the selection mix I’ve got no hesitation putting my hand up and being ready.

‘There’s only so much you can prove in training, you have to get out on the field and do it.’


33 Comments

  • 1.Angostura: Reply to this comment

    I wish Clyde well – he was an awesome outside centre & a huge loss for the Sharks, & potentially, probably for the Boks as well.

    I hope he has a complete & successful rehabilitation, & success on the field.

  • 2.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment

    Good luck Clyde. I wish you all the best on and off the field.

  • 3.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment

    “He’s waited a long time and you can see he’s still got it,” White said…

    Welcome back mate, I sincerely hope you achieve all your goals and ambitions. I’m rooting for you!

    P.S. Go Brumby dragons!

  • 4.the curse: Reply to this comment

    hope he goes well..

    the funniest thing was, when he first moved to Aussie he had to UPSKILL because his game lacked the fundamentals, the REAL reason SA rugby is k@k..

    such a sad indictment on the state of rugby in SA, that he had to spend time learning the basics

    eish

  • 5.fantasyrugbyscout: Reply to this comment

    I honestly thought we’d seen the last of Clyde Rathbone, I wish him luck, comebacks aren’t easy.

  • 6.Fern: Reply to this comment

    I wish you all of the best with your comeback Clyde,let’s hope that Zac can follow in your footsteps.
    Poppa,jeepers but lately you have been very bitter and angry.Take a chill pill boetie.

  • 7.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    All the best Clyde

    Poppadoos, got *** yourself

  • 8.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-7: good one fat boy

    still hiding in exile for your families crimes against humanity

    ag shame..

  • 9.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    At least my mother doesn’t go down on the whanau!

  • 10.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-9: hahahah

    the brown brothers disagree

    they said your mum is a real *****
    the sort youd find on K’road giving it away..

  • 11.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-9: mind you, the brown brothers were asking what you give whatevers mum for a present when she has everything?

    I suggested penicillin

  • 12.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Oh so now it’s a colour thing is it? Racist knunt

  • 13.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Think your mother scooped you out of the gutter after you dribbled down her leg after a nite of drugs and booze with the gangbangers….. Makes sence…

  • 14.katman: Reply to this comment

    @the curse-4: Funny then that the last noteworthy trophy he won was with the Baby Boks.

  • 15.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-12: your mum said she didnt mind what colour they were, but big and black was her preference..

    didnt know she was a fan of licorice allsorts?

  • 16.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-13: its “sense”

    not “sence”

    gees, you really epitomise the “intelligent” Saffa dont you

    hahaha

    do you call him uncle wiremu or just bro?

  • 17.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-13:

    its “night”

    not “nite”

    my word, are you really this stupid?

    Id have to say yes..

  • 18.Taahirah: Reply to this comment

    At 31 years of age you might be past your prime, Clyde.

    Best of luck, though.

  • 19.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Hahaha. Whose the spelling nazi now? *** you are one fuked up doos, go do the rounds, you are now contradicting yourself, you need a break

  • 20.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Think you got the wrong mama boet, you thinking of your momma, oh right, that’s all you can do hey!!

  • 21.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-20: yeah true, shes been dead for a while..

    glad you find it funny..

    hope you have a good laugh mate, seems to be your style..

  • 22.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Fuku arsehole, I got no sympathy for hating idiots like you…..wallow in your own miserable shithole, there’s a good poodle

  • 23.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment

    @the curse-4: that was @the curse-4: Hell, that move cost him a World Cup.

  • 24.the curse: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-22: I hate you, no one else..

    I’ll let you know when Im in Auckland next tough guy..

  • 25.whatthe: Reply to this comment

    Do that grootbek…

  • 26.pillsbury27: Reply to this comment

    @whatthe-22 and @the curse. Maybe you guys should bang and get it over with?

  • 27.Taahirah: Reply to this comment

    @pillsbury27-26: :lol:

  • 28.Blue Label: Reply to this comment

    If he wants his comeback, he should wipe it off of Watson’s chin…

  • 29.Blue Label: Reply to this comment

    @Blue Label-28: Sorry…. Jake White, that is…

  • 30.Blue Label: Reply to this comment

    @pillsbury27-26: Agree… You remember when we were lighties, and you liked a girl, you would punch her every now and again? This conversation reminds of of just that… Hehehe

  • 31.polaris: Reply to this comment

    Good luck, tough times ahead though, he ain’t 20s man anymore.

  • 32.Jinx2: Reply to this comment

    All the best, Mr Rathbone. You are a true warrior.

  • 33.cab: Reply to this comment

    right turn clyde, any which way you can.

    good luck, i reckon this bugger coulda been spectacular if he’d stayed in SA and played on the one wing, with habana on the other.

    but he might still have one or two scorching season left in him, shoulda maybe been at centre, wing over 30 is a tough ask.

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