Huxley's return imminent
Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:40
Julian Huxley is a step closer to a return to rugby - in fact, his comeback now appears imminent.
The Canberra Times reports that Huxley joined the senior Brumbies squad in a training session on Thursday and that a now healthy Huxley is about to make a momentous comeback, having overcome a brain tumour discovered two years ago.
According to The Canberra Times, Huxley and his legal team and the Brumbies lawyers were close to finalising a contract.
The Brumbies had hoped to announce the news on Thursday but this had been delayed by minor contractual issues.
All going well, he will be in line to play for the Brumby Runners against the Junior Waratahs at Sydney's Knox Grammar School on Sunday, and could then come into the reckoning for selection for the Bruumbies for their game against the Blues at Eden Park on March 19.
There will be debate as to whether Huxley should be taking the risks involved in a comeback to a contact, collision sport, given the seriousness of a brain tumour, but his teammates have backed his return, saying they can't wait to have him back in a Brumbies jersey.
Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper welcomed Huxley's return but hoped it would be timed adequately as to not force anything on the former Wallaby.
"Given his circumstances you can't rush him back into the Super 14 level straight away," he told The Canberra Times, adding: "He's obviously more than capable of playing at that level but with his injuries he needs to be pushed slowly.
"It's his head and his decision if he wants to return and being teammates and good friends, we support that. If he's cleared, he's cleared, you can't concern yourself too much with the risk because he's got to put it all behind him and embrace the fact he's back."
Scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs supported Ashley-Cooper's views.
"Julian is quite an intelligent bloke and he would have put the positives and negatives in front of him," Phibbs said.
"If he feels and says he's ready to play, then I'm sure there's no risky element at all.
"Saying that, there's risks with any player who takes the field. You can't predict what's going to happen out there but I've got no doubt he's ready to play and will play in the near future."
Huxley played eight Test matches for the Wallabies before the discovery of a brain tumour in March 2008, and a return to big-time rugby would represent a miraculous second chance for him to extend his Super 14 and Test career.
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