Danny
10-11-2004, 11:55 PM
Successful surgery has energized his hope's of a an injury free 2005
Finegan on comeback trail
November 11, 2004
OWEN Finegan has taken the first tentative steps towards winning a recall to the Wallaby squad by returning to light training with the ACT Brumbies this week.
It was the first time the Test veteran had laced on a football boot since the Super 12 final back on May 22.
After captaining the Brumbies to their 47-38 tournament win over the Crusaders, Finegan had shoulder surgery which prevented him playing for Randwick in the Tooheys New Cup and ruled him out of Test squad contention.
Now he is back running with the Brumbies, Finegan made it clear he still has aspirations to add to his tally of 55 Test caps.
"It's probably not in the back of my mind, it's in the front," Finegan said.
"That is one of the reasons you train in October, to be at your best for the Super 12 and hopefully the reward will be a Wallaby jersey."
The lure of playing for Australia was the reason he signed a new contract with the Brumbies two years ago rather than accept a lucrative offer from overseas.
Finegan said the surgery to repair nerve damage in his shoulder had been a success and he was leaping high in lineout practice yesterday (see pictures above) just to prove it.
"I've just got to take it easy for a couple of months, but I should be back into full training in time for early January when the rest of the squad returns from Wallabies duty," he said.
While he may now be 32, Finegan believes he still has plenty of good football in front of him.
He was a standout for the Brumbies in this year's Super 12 where he demonstrated that he was still one of the most effective and wily back-rowers in the country.
"Someone like George Gregan can inspire me, he's going to hang around until the next World Cup," Finegan said.
"I don't think I will go that long, I'm planning on playing for the next two or three years."
Finegan is ready for a change of fortune on the field in 2005.
"I've been disappointed with my career since 1999, more through injury than anything else," he said.
But he thinks in the long term that time he has spent on the sideline getting over injuries and in rehabilitation may prolong his playing days.
"It's nice to get out there and be training again," Finegan said.
"There are a lot of young people in the squad, they are all excited about being here and for an old bloke like me it's given me a bit of enthusiasm as well.
"There are about 15 or 16 weeks until the first Super 12 game and I can't wait until that kicks off."
As a foundation member of the Brumbies, Finegan said winning consecutive Super 12 titles would be a good way to celebrate his 10th season in Canberra.
Finegan on comeback trail
November 11, 2004
OWEN Finegan has taken the first tentative steps towards winning a recall to the Wallaby squad by returning to light training with the ACT Brumbies this week.
It was the first time the Test veteran had laced on a football boot since the Super 12 final back on May 22.
After captaining the Brumbies to their 47-38 tournament win over the Crusaders, Finegan had shoulder surgery which prevented him playing for Randwick in the Tooheys New Cup and ruled him out of Test squad contention.
Now he is back running with the Brumbies, Finegan made it clear he still has aspirations to add to his tally of 55 Test caps.
"It's probably not in the back of my mind, it's in the front," Finegan said.
"That is one of the reasons you train in October, to be at your best for the Super 12 and hopefully the reward will be a Wallaby jersey."
The lure of playing for Australia was the reason he signed a new contract with the Brumbies two years ago rather than accept a lucrative offer from overseas.
Finegan said the surgery to repair nerve damage in his shoulder had been a success and he was leaping high in lineout practice yesterday (see pictures above) just to prove it.
"I've just got to take it easy for a couple of months, but I should be back into full training in time for early January when the rest of the squad returns from Wallabies duty," he said.
While he may now be 32, Finegan believes he still has plenty of good football in front of him.
He was a standout for the Brumbies in this year's Super 12 where he demonstrated that he was still one of the most effective and wily back-rowers in the country.
"Someone like George Gregan can inspire me, he's going to hang around until the next World Cup," Finegan said.
"I don't think I will go that long, I'm planning on playing for the next two or three years."
Finegan is ready for a change of fortune on the field in 2005.
"I've been disappointed with my career since 1999, more through injury than anything else," he said.
But he thinks in the long term that time he has spent on the sideline getting over injuries and in rehabilitation may prolong his playing days.
"It's nice to get out there and be training again," Finegan said.
"There are a lot of young people in the squad, they are all excited about being here and for an old bloke like me it's given me a bit of enthusiasm as well.
"There are about 15 or 16 weeks until the first Super 12 game and I can't wait until that kicks off."
As a foundation member of the Brumbies, Finegan said winning consecutive Super 12 titles would be a good way to celebrate his 10th season in Canberra.