Queensland Reds fullback Jock Campbell is ready to impress on his injury return against the Hurricanes, looking to give selectors something to think about after his maiden Wallabies camp.
Campbell's return is a timely one for the Reds, slotting in at the back as they take a cautious approach to Jordan Petaia's leg injury.
The 26-year-old found himself shifted to the wing mid-way through the season, however, revealed a timely chat from Dave Rennie and a strong pre-season has him primed for a strong return.
“Dave (Rennie) said he didn’t mind me play either (wing or fullback) which was good for me to hear. The key for me is to continue developing my key assets which includes speed and those areas," he told Rugby.com.au at the start of the month.
“Coming off a bit of a (groin) injury, the key for the off-season was getting the body right so I was feeling good and I felt like having that extended off-season gave us an opportunity to do that.
“You obviously want to be playing a lot of footy but having that time off, definitely helped me and the younger guys.”
Campbell will likely switch between fullback and flyhalf on Saturday, with Lawson Creighton selected in place of the injured James O'Connor, initially floated by Brad Thorn at the start of the year.
"It's competitive ... James did a great job last year and if there's an injury you've got Jock there," Thorn said back in Feburary.
"We know he can play wing, at 15 and he's been working at 10 over the summer and he looked pretty sharp.
"He brings a big kick and he's a threat as well."
Despite the injuries, the Reds enter this season's Trans-Tasman crossover period in better shape than last year, forced to back up on six-days notice after their historic Super Rugby AU title.
Whilst Campbell wasn't using the subsequent disruptions as an excuse, he admits the club is more prepared for the fast-paced, counter-attacking driven style of the Kiwis.
“I think we are definitely in better shape than the six-day turnaround from that game,” he reflects.
“It wasn’t ideal preparation but we were still on the field and didn’t play our best, to be honest.
“There’s still a point to prove and we will be better suited (this year).”
