Hames working hard to get back into some on-field rugby action

Kane Hames is playing a waiting game.

The Tasman Makos and former Highlanders Super Rugby prop is working hard to get back on the playing field but a troublesome knee is currently holding him back.

The 27-year-old front rower signed with the Tasman union in 2014 and has been dealing with patellar tendonitis in both knees since securing a Highlanders contract in 2013. He's struggled with the condition ever since, with a broken hand at the start of the Makos' national provincial rugby campaign last year compounding his problems.

A former Bay of Plenty representative and Maori All Black, Hames recently re-injured his left knee at training. Although unrelated to the original patellar tendonitis complaint, he won't be taking any risks by prematurely getting back into action.

He certainly hasn't been bored though. Apart from regular gym sessions with Makos' strength coach Glenn Stewart, Hames is also coaching this year's Marist premier rugby team as he continues his rehabilitation.

"I'm taking self-imposed time off rugby and I'm trying to fix [my knees] up so that they don't cause me any more issues," Hames said. "My right knee's pretty much fixed, which is great.

"Initially I'm just coaching and I'm hoping to get my knee right and whether that means I'm available for injury cover for a Super team or I play for Marist, either way I'll end up playing."

He's hoping to be back on the field in about seven weeks although it's not a rigid time frame. He'll ultimately let his body decide and apart from his dodgy left knee, he's happy with his progress.

"I've spent two years of modified running so I want to get out of that and get back to my best...and back to how I think I should be able to play. I need to fix it up otherwise I'm going to have a tough old life."