Josh Mann-Rea feared a knee injury ruined his last Super Rugby chance, but less than four months after a reconstruction the unheralded hooker is on the verge of his ACT Brumbies goal.
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Mann-Rea made a mad dash to South Africa last week to join the Brumbies on their two-game tour.
Brumbies centre Andrew Smith has returned to Canberra to continue his recovery from a concussion and the door is ajar for Mann-Rea to be in selection contention to take on the Cape Town Stormers on Sunday morning (Australian time).
It is a return that the veteran thought was impossible when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in November.
However, if anyone knows about taking an unconventional path to the top, it's Mann-Rea.
The former coalminer had the revolutionary LARS surgery, and now the 32-year-old is keen to impress coach Jake White.
''I thought my last chance was gone [when I got injured], especially at my age,'' Mann-Rea said.
''At times in the recovery I'd go forward and then plateau and that was frustrating.
''To be in South Africa is a shock, whether I do or don't make it I just want to know I put in the full effort. I'm just hungry for a chance.''
Mann-Rea is the Brumbies' third string hooker and on the extended player squad.
When he busted his knee at pre-season training, he could have taken the easy option to return to a lucrative pay cheque in the Wollongong mines.
But Mann-Rea opted for the LARS surgery with a three-month recovery time frame, instead of a traditional reconstruction, which would have ruled him out for the season.
He feels he has still got something to offer in Super Rugby.
He is a former Australian under-21s rake, but a promising career slipped through his fingers while his junior teammates - including Matt Giteau and Mark Gerrard - went on to play for the Wallabies.
He went to Japan on a three-year deal in 2009 and returned to Australia to play one game for the NSW Waratahs last season.
Mann-Rea is the second oldest player on the Brumbies roster, behind Wallabies great George Smith.
Now recovered from the first major injury of his career, Mann-Rea is pushing for a spot in the Brumbies' rotation.
Wallaby Stephen Moore is the Brumbies' No.1 rake with Siliva Siliva as his back-up.
''One way it was disappointing to injure my knee, but I got a chance to build my strength back up and I'm the strongest I've ever been now,'' Mann-Rea said.
''All you can do is prepare and if an opportunity comes, make sure you're ready to step in.''
White will wait to see how his players pull up from their win over the Durban Sharks last week before deciding if Mann-Rea will remain in South Africa for the rest of the tour.
