Five surgeries in three years.
You'd forgive ACT Brumbies prop Blake Schoupp for being down-trodden but the energetic front-rower is as motivated as ever to bring success to the nation's capital.
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Schoupp will return to the field during the Brumbies' tour of Japan, named in the squad to face Kintetsu Liners on November 14.
It's been a long road back for the former Wallaby, who has undergone dark days after two major shoulder injuries, an Achilles rupture and, most recently, a Lisfranc fracture in his foot.
“The journey I’ve had over the last three years has been very up and down. The one thing is learning and growing from each setback that I’ve had, and it’s put me in good stead for next season," he told reporters during the week.
“At times, I do think I’ve [crossed a black cat] but it’s just unfortunate the way the injuries have happened ."
Schoupp is back training with the squad as the Brumbies begin pre-season training ahead of next season.
The loosehead has clear ambitions to return to the Test arena after featuring in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, along with a desire for silverware.
“I think I’m at a stage of my career where I know what I can bring, whether that’s starting or off the bench. I want to play international footy [again], that’s a given, but I really want the Brumbies to do well. I’m sick of getting to the finals and falling short," Schoupp stated emphatically.
“It’s good that we have competition for spots because it’s only going to improve our competitiveness at training…the goal is to win Super Rugby and whatever happens after that is a bonus.”
As the Brumbies grind their way through pre-season Bronco testing and put in the hard work to build fitness, Schoupp has a growing appreciation for the process.
“You look at training and pre-season and it’s hard, but it’s not harder than coming into rehab training on your own when you’ve got all these tedious exercises to do over and over again for maybe one per cent growth," he explained.
“Having been what I’ve been through, I see pre-season as an opportunity to have fun and work on my body, enjoy training with my mates because ultimately I’m a footy player and I’m here to play, not just train
“I want to use this as an opportunity to springboard into next year.”
