Luckless NSW Waratahs playmaker Will Harrison is looking to put almost two years' worth of injury setbacks behind him as he returns to Rugby.
The 24-year-old last pulled on the sky blue jersey in Super Round 2022 against the Chiefs after becoming one of the youngest players to sign a professional contract with the Waratahs.
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In that fixture, he suffered an ACL, MCL and a patella tendon injury, leaving him with a 'tedious' recovery process.
Preparing to return at the start of the year, a further toe injury delayed his hopeful comeback before disaster struck playing for his beloved Randwick.
“I had my first game back in an ‘A’ game against the Melbourne Rebels, I played pretty well but injured my toe so that set me back for another four weeks...I wanted to play Shield Shield to push my case and then my knee went on me again midway through,” Harrison told Rugby.com.au.
“I definitely knew straightway with the way it went on me. Instantly my mindset was ‘it is what it is’. I could have gone one way and dragged a lot of people around me through the mud or I could have taken it as positive as I could be and make a real challenge out of it. “…It’s frustrating but going through a bit of adversity, it’s a case of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s been a challenge both mentally and physically but I feel like I’ve grown through the challenge and I’m really looking forward to having a good year next year.”
Harrison's mindset has been praised by Waratahs players and staff since suffering the injury in April.
It helps that this process is a lot smoother than the first incident, taking the lessons from the previous year's injury.
“The best part about this rehab compared to the last is we’re not under time constraints," he explained. "It’s feeling really good so I’ll be hopefully right for mid-Feb for the first or second trial.
“It’s definitely been a lot smoother (than 2022). Having learnt a lot of lessons from ’22 rehab, it’s been an easier transition for me. I feel like both the medical team, my family, partner have all learnt from that first year and we’ve really marched on and it’s a really good spot.”
Harrison watched good mate and fellow flyhalf Ben Donaldson depart the club for the Western Force, with the Waratahs showing faith in the flyhalf with a new contract.
It is something the Junior Wallaby is eager to repay as he aims for a Wallabies call-up.
“I’m stoked to be staying home from another year and I appreciate the support they’ve shown me over the past years with the rehab. I’m looking to pay them back next year," he added.
“After seeing what’s happened in the last couple of months in the Rugby landscape, it’s definitely driven me towards bigger aspirations, not just in the Waratah jersey but playing for Australia. It’s still a massive goal of mine and definitely an itch I need to scratch
“In my first year of 2020, I was in the squad and got to travel with the team and learnt a lot from that experience. Having two or three years now riddled with injury, I’m more keen than ever to get back out there, not only for the Tahs but hopefully higher honours."
