An unlikely turn of events in an already unpredictable 2020 has given lock Ben Hyne the chance to pay back something he feels he owes to the Brumbies in the coming weeks.
Hyne has signed a short-term injury loan deal with the Brumbies for the upcoming Super Rugby AU after Cadeyrn Neville suffered an injury setback.
The 26-year-old is no stranger to the Brumbies setup having spent four seasons with the ACT franchise and making his Super Rugby debut for the side in 2016.
After that debut, though, a luckless run of injury saw Hyne ultimately let go from the Brumbies at the end of the 2019 season.
Hyne was ultimately snapped up by the Sunwolves and eventually made his way back to Super Rugby, playing two matches for the Japanese outfit before the season was shut down in March.
With the confirmation that the Sunwolves would not be part of the Super Rugby AU competition and news of Neville's injury, Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was quick to ring his former charge.
"With the corona stuff, the competition had to stop and then the Sunwolves, we're made up of several different countries so we all sort of flew back to our homes and just been training at home ever since the competition stopped," he said.
"We were trying to get back into the Australian conference that (Rugby AU) have organised and it wasn't likely to happen and we got the confirmation that the Sunwolves weren't going to be in it.
"After that, I was basically off contract. My contract finished in June with the Sunwolves, tart of June and then Dan phoned me, asked where I was at and what my contract was, what my eligiblity was and if I was able to join them?
"And it sort of happened like that."
On his second day back with the Brumbies on Tuesday, Hyne said he felt he had a chance to repay a debt to the Brumbies in this new stint.
"To be able to get back out there in the Brumbies jersey, I certainly think I sort of owe it to the club really," he said.
"They've looked after me for those years, obviously when I got let go last year it's just a business decision really.
"I'd had a run of injuries so I don't blame them for letting me go but I'd certainly love to get out there and support the club that has supported me and get out there and do well for them."
Despite dealing with yet another setback in the season's shutdown, Hyne said he was feeling optimistic about the situation.
"Couldn't believe it when I spent two years out of the game and then I get back on my feet, play two games back at Super Rugby and then the whole world stops," he said.
"Unfortunate but I certainly but I was in a better spot than many other people during this so I'm good."
