Clyde Rathbone

CA Brumbies winger Clyde Rathbone is on the rehabilitation trail after a knee injury cut short his Investec Super 14 season. Since then he has been working tirelessly to ensure that he will be fighting fit for next year. Brumby Jack caught up with Clyde during his rehabilitation program.

Brumby Jack: How is your knee feeling at the moment?
Clyde Rathbone: It’s really good actually – it’s feeling a lot better than it has in a long time. The best part is that we’ve had a few weeks to load it up and we haven’t had a negative response, so that’s a nice change and if it carries on in this way I’ll be very happy. I had the cortisone about six or seven weeks ago and it’s been very slow program, but at least there has been progress. But I’m really happy with how it’s going at the moment.

BJ: What sort of rehabilitation have you been doing in relation to the injury?
CR: I’ve been doing a lot of strength work. Because I wasn’t able to do anything for such a long time, I’ve had to start right back at the basics to get some strength back into the leg and get it up to speed. So when I get my left leg to a similar strength to my right, then we can start introducing more stuff. The aim is to be able to hit the ground running for pre-season training and make sure it’s in good nick for next year.

BJ: Have you been able to do any running at this stage?
CR: No, the goal is to start hang sprinting [assisted/harnessed running] in a couple of weeks’ time. Doing it that way will reduce the impact and if that goes well then we’ll introduce some running some time after that.

BJ: So, as you mentioned, the plan is to be right for the CA Brumbies’ pre-season?
CR: Yeah, the plan is to progress things along so that I can do all the work that needs to be done then.

BJ: Has it been frustrating to be surrounded by rugby with the World Cup and Mazda Australian Rugby Championship but be unable to participate?
CR: It has been but the thing with injuries is to use the time wisely and do the things you can’t do while you’re playing. When the World Cup starts I’m sure it will be tough watching the guys run out but the flipside is that I’ve had time to work on my business and really get that ticking along, which I wouldn’t have had a chance to do otherwise. Obviously I’d much rather be playing but I’ve been able to make the most of the time I’ve got now.

BJ: Has it made it easier doing the rehabilitation with players like Mitch Chapman, Peter Betham and Salesi Ma’afu and knowing they’re going through the same thing?
CR: There’s a hard core rehabilitation group at the moment [laughs]. But it is easier. When you’re training on your own it’s easier to get down on yourself but when you’ve got a group it definitely helps push you along.