As he prepares to return to action for the Melbourne Rebels, RUPA Player Director Mike Harris speaks about how he’s been able to contribute to his Club whilst out with a quad injury since Round One, as well as how he coped with the disappointment.

“Obviously there was a huge amount of personal frustration,” he told RUPA. “I did the full pre-season, felt fit and raring to go and then I was struck down in the first warm up.

“It’s pretty tough and in my case it meant I’d be out for 10-12 weeks. Initially I was really disappointed and needed a little bit of time to get over it before setting new goals; my focus became about helping the other boys and the squad in any way I could so that the team could get the best results possible.

“I tried to find other ways to stay involved with the team by doing a lot of analysis work and a lot of game strategy where I can to try and contribute as much as possible. It’s about looking at different ways to come up with strategies, alongside the coaching staff, which will help us to exploit our opposition.

“Then there is also the mentoring role you can play with the guy who has come into your position once you’ve gotten injured; you can help them ensure that they are confident to go out there and do the job by having lots of chats and making sure they are across their roles technically.”

“Everybody is obviously different and deal with setbacks in different ways, but the more injuries you have in your career the more you realise it’s part of the game and you learn to get back on the horse and set new goals.”

Harris said that the Rebels’ ‘whole squad’ mentality meant that any sidelined players, either injured or not selected, were able to focus on how to help those selected in the side.

“The Rebels aren’t only the 15 or 23 that run out on the field every week,” he explained. “Those guys are the ones who represent our whole squad, that’s our mentality at the Rebels, and I think that approach has certainly aided our performance (this year).”