ACT Brumbies back-rower Charlie Cale is eager to put a wretched run of injuries behind him as he prepares for his return to Rugby.
Cale will start at number eight in the Brumbies' opening trial of the year against the Western Force in Perth after significant time on the sidelines.
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Since his Wallabies starting debut in July 2024, the 25-year-old has managed just four appearances in just over 18 months.
A shoulder injury derailed his breakout season, before a stress fracture in his back left the athletic Cale immobilised.
“It just started to flare up a little bit after the pre-season [last year], and then from round two, it was just like progressively getting worse and eventually got to a stage where I couldn't really move or bend over," he told Rugby.com.au.
“It sucks obviously because I had the shoulder surgery the year before and then I was ready to go but I think mentally, the boys and the support staff really look after the rehab players so you never feel disconnected to the group."
Cale had plenty of company throughout the rehab process, with fellow Wallabies Lachlan Lonergan and Blake Schoupp, along with Harry Vella, sharing the hardships together and keeping it light.
"There was a good period of five months where we’d go to the gym in the morning together, then always go for coffee breaks together, playing paper-scissor-rock to see who paid," he explained.
“It was just little games to pass the time, but they’re good characters...I didn't win many of the games, I think there was cheating along the way [laughs].
Coach Stephen Larkham has had a front row seat to Cale's long road back and was keen to ease him back into action.
“It's been a long process for Charlie. Even through training, there was a fair bit of modification at the back end of last year to make sure that he was fully ready for the start of his season and we're looking forward to seeing how he goes, like every other player in the team at the moment," Larkham told the media.
“There's a fair expectation that the way that we've been training should transfer to the field but for some, they've been out of the game longer than for others so Charlie's one of those players who will be super excited to get back out on the paddock.”
Larkham will turn to a host of new faces for the trial, with former Australia 20s stars Harvey Cordukes, Klayton Thorn, Shane Wilcox and Jarrah McLeod all getting starts.
ACT BRUMBIES (1-15): Lington Ieli, Chris Mickelson, Rhys van Nek, Lachlan Shaw, Harvey Cordukes, Tuaina Tualima, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Kye Oates, Jarrah McLeod, Hudson Creighton, Shane Wilcox, Declan Meredith
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Cadeyrn Neville, Eli Langi, Dan Nelson, Andy Muirhead, Kadin Pritchard, Moses Sorovi, Austin Anderson, Judiah Saumaisue, Darcy Breen.
