Palu ponders Asian recess
Wallaby and Waratahs loose forward Wycliff Palu is contemplating heading north to Japan in order to prolong a frustrating international career.
The powerful Waratah loose forward has been plagued with injury throughout his career and feels that if he had to take a George Smith-like sabbatical in Japan he could make it to his third World Cup in 2015.
With the likes of Smith, Hugh McMeniman and Mitchell Chapman all making an impact in Super Rugby this season, Palu feels a trip to Asia might be just what he needs to revitalise himself and his career.
"They've looked like they've come back really refreshed," Palu told AAP on Wednesday.
"I had a chat with George [Smith] a while back and he said he's feeling in really good nick.
"They do a lot of training over there and play less games.
"Your body has the time to recover so you're going to come back fresher and the rugby's also not as physical over there," Palu added.
A player in Palu's position, who has been bugged by serious injury, would need this added time to recover.
Palu's list of injuries reads like a horror novel and mentioning them he said: "I'll go from my head to my toes.
"I had knee reconstruction in 2010, broke my scapula – my shoulder blade – in 2011 before the World Cup.
"I had nerve injuries in my shoulders and syndesmosis in my ankle, and all those hammy injuries," he said.
With a British and Irish Lions tour around the corner and another World Cup in the future Palu will be hoping that the frame can hold up for another couple of seasons.
Missing the last World Cup and having the Northern visitors later this year, Palu feels that is enough motivation to get himself back into fighting shape.
"I definitely want to play in those big tournaments.
"It's always a goal to play at the highest level.
"Depending on how I'm going physically and also how I'm going playing-wise, if I feel I could still play rugby at that level, I'd definitely put my hand up.
"First things first, though, I've got to play well for the Tahs and, if I do that, I think everything turns out the way you want it to," Palu mentioned.
Palu's talent is undeniable and both Michael Cheika and Robbie Deans will be hoping that he can string together a significant run of form that will see him push for selection against the British and Irish Lions.
