Tim Perry set for return to top-level rugby

 

Crusaders' prop Tim Perry takes on the Melbourne Rebels defence during the 2014 Super Rugby season.

 

A little over seven months ago Tim Perry literally dragged himself off Nelson's Trafalgar Park, his achilles tendon in tatters, along with his immediate rugby prospects.

On Friday evening, the powerful Tasman Makos prop will sit on the Crusaders' bench for their Super Rugby clash with the competition-leading Hurricanes - rested, recuperated and raring to go if required. It will be his first taste of big-time rugby since that fateful day in mid October.

Perry had an operation to repair his tendon soon after sustaining the injury, which happened during the Makos' national provincial championship semifinal against Canterbury. His surgeon suggested a six and half month rehabilitation programme which culminated in light training, full-on scrummaging at practice, some club matches, then a return to Super Rugby.

So far everything has gone to plan.

"It's good to get another crack," said the 120kg front rower. "I've had four games of club rugby now [for the Christchurch club] and the injury has felt good. My fitness is not too bad, although the match fitness takes a while. It's not too bad at club now, but [Super Rugby] is a bit of a step up."

Perry has had to get used to putting strain through his lower leg again, an especially daunting prospect given the pressure of live scrummaging. "I started from a low level and just sort of built back into it … I never really felt [the injury] so that's a good sign."

Not a man used to taking a back seat, Perry has found the past seven months frustrating, especially with the Crusaders experiencing a a rare up-and-down season. "I've just tried to keep up with the play and get the body right, build my strength back up, but it has been frustrating.

"The team just can't seem to get any consistency going. We are leading the stats on the tries for, our defence is right up there, it's just errors that have cost us."

Despite the fact they seem likely to miss the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time since 2001, Perry says the feeling among the Crusaders is still very positive. "The boys are keen as … that's one thing about the camp, no-one will ever give up. They'll go right to the last minute. We're not counting ourselves down and out yet.

"It would be good to take [the Hurricanes] apart at Trafalgar, there would be nothing better for me and the boys. I'm looking forward to it."

Well aware of the twist of fate that may see him make his return from injury on the same field it happened on, the 26 year-old is just glad to be back at his provincial home ground on Friday, "where it all started really", and is keen to pull on the Tasman jersey once his Super Rugby commitments have ended.

"I'll make sure I get all my rehab right and I'm certainly looking forward to the upcoming Makos season," added Perry.

The match begins at 7.35 on Friday evening, preceded by a curtainraiser between Tasman clubs Central and Waimea Old Boys, which kicks off at 4.45pm