Rollo talks with the Rat…

Matt, an update for the membership on how the recovery’s coming along… Firstly, how long have you been out injured now?

Just on 5 months.

What exactly did you do to yourself?

It’s called syndesmosis. Basically I snapped the ligaments which joined the two bones of your lower leg together – the tibia and fibula. Every time I took a step or tried to push off on my leg the bones would separate.

How’s the rehab been going?

It’s been coming along really well. I had a screw put in which joined the ligaments back onto the bone 5 months ago and had to stay on crutches for 8 weeks. I recently had the screw removed and the doctor’s really pleased with the way it’s coming along.

I went back up to Camp Wallaby last week to train and it was great to be back. I really enjoyed catching up with the boys again and generally just getting back into it.

No doubt frustrating to be watching from the sidelines?

Yeah, it’s been really difficult watching the games and wishing I was out there trying to do what I could. I really felt for the guys in New Zealand and wished I could have been doing my bit. It’s also hard to be reading articles about how well all the other guys are going. I’ve just got to focus on getting myself back to 100% though and remain as positive as I can.

I’m aiming to be fitter, stronger and better than I was before and want to come back playing the same type of rugby I was when I got injured.

To take a positive out of it, it’s not often you get a chance to have 5 months off so it might have done your old limbs some good…

Absolutely, I feel really good both physically and mentally and am really keen to get back out onto the field and get amongst it.

So have you been getting along to any of the Sharks games during your time off?

Not really actually. I went to one game when I was on crutches but to be honest I’ve lost a bit of interest. Most of the guys I used to play with are no longer there so it’s not quite the same.

What I have really enjoyed though, is the opportunity to get along and watch my son play. He’s playing rugby league locally so it’s been a great opportunity to go along and support him as well as give some help and input to the team. I haven’t had this opportunity before as I’ve been away from home a lot with rugby.  He’s always telling me over the phone how he’s scored a try or how the games have been going so it’s been really nice to spend some time enjoying that.

It’s given me a bit of a glimpse at retirement and it looks pretty good!

So have you managed to get out of the Shire during the last 5 months?

Yeah, I’ve got out a couple of times! I’ve been doing a bit of promotional work for the ARU so have been to Melbourne and Brisbane. I’ve also been doing a few lunches so have been getting out and about a bit but my feet are firmly planted here in the Shire where the roots are.

What about up to Roffy’s Rehabilitation Retreat up on Straddy?

I’d be there with bells on if he invited me! Taking the kids up there might be a bit much though – it might spoil the serenity…..

So when can we expect to see you back out on the field?

I’m hoping to play 2-3 club games before the end of the season as long as everything goes well.  It’s then up the powers that be to decide whether I go on the NSW Waratahs tour to Argentina in October or whether I’m picked to go on the Wallaby tour to Europe in November. I’ll just wait and see what happens. It’s out of my hands so I’ll just concentrate on getting myself right.

Finally, have you sent a progress report to the Bulls Ground Announcer who accused you of faking?  I’m sure he’d be interested to hear how you’re going.

About how the mullet’s coming along or the injury?

Let’s start with the mullet.

It’s coming along very nicely. It was pretty long when we played the Bulls but has come a long way since then - it hasn’t been touched with a pair of scissors since.

As for the injury, I was really dirty after his comments during that game and really wanted to play well to prove him wrong – unfortunately my injury got the better of me and I didn’t get the chance!

Matt, good luck with the recovery and we look forward to seeing the new flowing mullet back on the field soon - Ben