Palavi on track for Super 14 return
Hooker David Palavi says he will be fit and eager to return to the Brumbies’ line-up when they take on the
Chiefs in Hamilton in Week One of the 2007 Super 14.
The explosive rake ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Brumbies’ 27-21
win over the Bulls in Pretoria in February. The subsequent reconstruction ended his 2006 season.
However, eight months of rehabilitation and hard work in the gym has Palavi in excellent shape and ready
for his Super 14 comeback.
“My knee feels great,” he said. “I’m probably a month away from doing full contact but I took a few
knocks on it last week at training and it pulled up fine. If I had my way I’d be back playing within a month
but I’ll just have to see what the medical staff say.”
The injury, sustained in Week Two of the Super 14, was a cruel blow to Palavi in just the second start of
his 22-match Super Rugby career, after Jeremy Paul had been ruled out with a calf strain the previous week
against the Force.
Palavi says he is taking his Super 14 return one step at a time.
“My first goal is to get back to 100 per cent,” he said. “Then it’s a matter of getting some regular game
time and showing off what I’ve been working towards for the last few pre-seasons but haven’t been able to
follow through with due to injury or limited opportunities.”
The Brumbies will again feature tremendous depth within their hooking ranks in 2007 with Paul, who is
expected to recover from a ruptured ligament in his left ring finger in time for Brumbies’ first Super 14
match on February 3, and Australian Under 19’s captain Saia Faingaa also pushing for positions.
Palavi, who was a member of the Brumbies’ 2004 Super 12 championship side, says he is looking forward to
another strong year with the two-time Super 12 champions.
“While it’s still very early, everyone’s been very positive about the season and there’s a great feeling
within the squad,” he said. “Everyone got a lift out of the APC [Australian Provincial Championship] win and
we’ll be looking to continue that success during the season. Personally, the enthusiasm’s definitely there
which has helped me get through a lot of the pre-season. I’m just keen to get out there on the park and get
my hands on the football.”
Related Article:
Playford chases Super 14 dream (Wed Oct 18)
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