Crusaders and All Blacks wing George Bridge has revealed his gruesome scars, as he prepares for Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Highlanders on Friday.
Bridge, 25, has been out of action since October, after ripping his pectoral muscle off the bone during an All Blacks training session.
After completing his rehab earlier this year, Bridge will make his first start of 2021, named on the right wing for Friday's clash at Orangetheory Stadium.
Showing off his scar, Bridge spoke candidly about his injury, and recovery.
"It's not flash," he says. "At the time, I didn't really think it was what it was, to be honest.
"I thought I'd just got a wee Charlie to the top of my bicep actually, but the old doc said 'We better pull you from training and get a scan on it.'
"Sure enough, it had popped, so that [was] five-and-a-half months ago.
"It was in a defence drill. I put my arm out to make a tackle, and it got wrenched back and popped off the bone.
"[I had] surgery about a week after I did it and was in a sling for about six weeks. It was a pretty slow start, it had fully ripped off the bone.
"They had to drill a couple of holes into it and stitch it back on, so they had to wait for it to fuse back to it, before I could start my rehab and stuff.
"It wasn't until January that I could really start picking up on the rehab."
Despite missing nearly half a year, Bridge's injury has given him perspective and he is now eagerly awaiting the chance to lace up his boots again.
"I haven't had the 14 jersey on my back for a wee while, but I'm just happy to be out there.
"I haven't played for five-and-a-half months, so to get an opportunity to get back on the field is massive for me. I'm really excited."
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