Blues halfback Bryn Hall can see the light at the end of a long and gloomy injury tunnel.
The 23-year-old, who was overlooked by coach John Kirwan at the start of the season and then suffered a broken foot while playing for his Northcote Club, hasn't played a game forthe franchise in 2015 but will be available for the Blues' match next weekend against the Highlanders.
The long stint on the sideline has been frustrating for Hall, but for him, not unusual. His breakout season of 2014, during which he overtook Piri Weepu as the Blues' best halfback, came after a disappointing 2013 which was wrecked by a broken jaw, also suffered while playing for Northcote, and then glandular fever.
His latest dose of bad luck - a broken fifth metatarsal of his left foot after an undiagnosed stress fracture - was doubly disappointing because of the strides he made last year.
"I had goals I wanted to reach this year and unfortunately the injury set those back a lot," said Hall, who is the North Harbour captain. "But luckily we have the ITM Cup coming up. I've had to re-set my goals and the ITM cup is going to be a big one.
"I'm cleared to play next week. I would have loved to have played this week - I was trying to push the physios to allow me but they said 'no, take your time'."
Jimmy Cowan and Jamison Gibson-Park have been Kirwan's halfbacks in Hall's absence. Both have had their moments but the feeling remains that the Blues' backs could have done with Hall's excellent running game, an attribute which can help free up a first-five and would have been welcomed by No10s Ihaia West and Dan Bowden.
With Hall signed at the Blues for another year, and the franchise having signed Northland's Sam Nock from 2016, there might not be room for both Cowan and Gibson-Park in the squad. Cowan is likely to have signed a two-year deal after his return from overseas so Gibson-Park might be the casualty.
In the meantime, Hall is pleased to be nearly back. "I'm feeling in really good nick. I've hit a lot of goals - obviously not on the field - but off the field, and am just really excited to come back."
