Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry has credited the dark days in rehab for inspiring his return and firmly placing him in bolter territory for the Wallabies.
Henry has been outstanding for the Reds over the past fortnight, inspiring them to wins over the ACT and NSW Waratahs.
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His form saw the Reds quickly secure his future for another 12 months, signing him on a fresh contract.
But for the 27-year-old, being out in the park consistently is success in its own right.
Henry hasn't managed over five games in a season over the past four years as a result of a litany of injuries.
Foot, knee and hamstring injuries have all delayed his progress ever since the barnstorming centre shone on his starting debut against the Chiefs almost five years ago.
“There's always doubts. It wasn't too long ago that I was thinking, is this for me?" Henry told reporters.
“But I think when you're in those moments, you learn the most about yourself and I'm pretty fortunate and grateful to have those moments now looking back because I've learnt an incredible amount in the five years that I've been a professional rugby player.
“It's pretty special to be back here able to play and also taking those learnings and putting my best foot forward from them.”
Henry's latest setback was the toughest to overcome, spending close to 15 months on the sidelines with a ruptured patella tendon.
"I worked pretty hard previously to get back, and I make a point of trying to be better than I was before the injury, and I felt like I was doing that, and then obviously I did the knee, and it kind of sent my world into a bit of a shock and chaos," he admits.
“That was a tough moment but looking back now, I'm super grateful and fortunate for that because I've learnt an incredible amount. I couldn't be more grateful for that experience.”
Henry had plenty of support in rehab, joined in stride by former Wallabies skipper Liam Wright, who had achieved his dream of captaining his country after years of rehab before his shoulder injury.
The centre wasn't looking into his own Test dreams, knowing how easily it can be taken away.
“I'm pretty focused on what we're trying to do here at the Reds, and I'm trying to play my best footy for Queensland, so I haven't really put too much thought into that," he remarked.
