Somerville targets June comeback

The Crusaders’ veteran All Black prop Greg Somerville is confident of returning from injury well in advance of the World Cup in France this year.

The 29-year-old Somerville, who has undergone surgery twice since rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Tri-Nations test between New Zealand and South Africa in Pretoria in August last year, has target June as his return date.

That will allow him enough time to get fit and cleared for World Cup selection.

Speaking to NewstalkZB Somerville said he has been making good progress since his second bout of surgery and is now able to run around a bit.

Somerville, who has now been out of action for eight months, suffered a major setback in January when he had to undergo a second operation after developing a cyst on the tendon.

However, Somerville told NewstalkZB that he is on track with his rehabilitation and has not suffered any further setbacks with the injury.

Somerville expects to be back playing club rugby in June and has not given up his dream of playing in the World Cup in France in September this year.

He says the All Black management has been monitoring his rehabilitation and saw how he was progressing at the conditioning camps.

Somerville, a 55-test veteran, believes they will probably be getting feedback via Crusaders coach Robbie Deans and the team trainer.

He looms as a key member of the World Cup equation with his ability to play on both sides of the front row.