Dane Coles was in a dark place.
So dark, the Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker discussed retirement from rugby at age 30.
So it was a smiling, slightly nervous Coles who arrived at Wellington Airport yesterday to fly to Australia with the Hurricanes, as he eyes his first rugby match in 125 days on Friday night.
Coach Chris Boyd confirmed Coles will be named on the bench to face the Brumbies in the Super Rugby quarterfinal in Canberra, his first match since March 18 when he suffered concussion against the Highlanders.
In the interim Coles suffered a calf injury and had recurring concussion symptoms which prolonged his layoff through the British and Irish Lions series till last Friday when he finally got the green light.
Coles hopes he has played his last water boy role for the season, after he kept his Hurricanes team‑mates hydrated during Saturday's 31‑22 win over the Crusaders.
The Brumbies will host the Hurricanes at 9.35pm Friday.
In other quarters, the Crusaders will host the Highlanders at 7.35pm Saturday while the Lions will take on the Sharks at 12.30am Sunday. The Chiefs will take on the Stormers at 3am Sunday.
Source: Stuff.co
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