Fredericks makes remarkable recovery
Hearing his name read out in the Tasman Makos' playing squad on Tuesday completed a tumultuous and emotional four months for loose forward Vernon Fredericks.
Selection on the bench for the national provincial championship rugby clash with Manawatu at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park signalled a remarkable return to the playing arena for the Marlborough-based 25-year-old.
In April, Fredericks suffered concussion during a club game for Moutere. After three and a half weeks on the sideline he was unable to shake off the symptoms, so underwent a CT scan in Nelson which revealed a two centimetre cyst in the middle of his brain. Doctors advised immediate action and within a week he had undergone surgery to pop the cyst and drain away cerebral fluid in the surrounding area.
Despite it being a tricky procedure, surgeons in Christchurch did their job superbly, then sent him home to recuperate.
Fredericks returned to work with Scaffold Marlborough in June, but his chances of returning to the rugby field were very much up in the air. After five consecutive Makos campaigns, the odds of him playing any part in the 2015 NPC season were slim, with the possibility he may never play the game again also on the radar.
But then came the good news. A scan suggested the healing process had gone well and he was cleared in July to resume light training and gym work. A full clearance came through last week and now Fredericks feels symptom-free and good to go.
"It's exciting," he said. "I haven't done too much contact work but I will get back into it at training and make sure my body is ready … I'm pretty amped actually, can't wait to get back into it. It's a bit unreal … it certainly doesn't feel like I've had brain surgery."
The versatile loose forward will have another scan in six months but is confident, as he has been throughout the process, that all will be well. "I just stayed positive [before and after the surgery] that I would be able to get back out there."
Despite being out of the game for so long Fredericks has maintained his fitness levels, mainly through gym work. "My fitness is not too bad. I did the yo-yo test the other day and got a good score. It's just the rugby fitness though, that's the hardest thing to get."
He has enjoyed plenty of very welcome support during his recuperation, from the Makos' management and players, plus from his supporters and family in Marlborough.
"Lots of people have been in contact in the last few months, texting me, asking how I am … a lot of love."
Makos' coach Kieran Keane is rapt to have the popular team member back in the selection frame, especially since he provides greater balance on the bench.
"It's just wonderful for Vernon. He's a well-respected member of the team and had an outstanding season last year. To be struck down by this sort of brought things into perspective, both for him and for the team. Now he's walking around with that big beard and a big smile, it's great to see. We are thrilled for him."
