Wallabies and Waratahs No 8 Wycliff Palu has declared himself fit and ready for a big Super Rugby season in 2014 having recovered from surgery.
Thirty-one-year-old Palu went under the knife to repair torn cartilage in his right knee and has not played rugby since the Wallabies third Test against the British and Irish Lions.
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“It was very frustrating (sitting out the remainder of the 2013 season due to injury), but the knee is pretty good,” Palu told Rugby Heaven.
“I really enjoyed doing pre-season training with the boys and giving me time to work on a few things I needed to work on.”
Palu has been troubled by his knee for some time as he had surgery on it two years ago and he has also suffered shoulder and hamstring injuries since 2011.
The No.8. said that careful management of his body will be the key as he attempts to regain his place in the Wallabies squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“We’ve talked about managing my workload, so there’ll probably be a few training sessions where I’m pulled out earlier,” he said.
“But I’m not thinking too far ahead, it would be disrespecting the Waratahs. I’m just going to focus on having a good season with the Tahs and go from there.”
The Waratahs had a new coach in Michael Cheika in 2013 and enjoyed mixed results and ended up finishing in ninth place with eight wins and eight losses.
Palu says that with their star-studded back line that includes Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau and Adam Ashley-Cooper the Waratahs are now headed in the right direction under coach Cheika.
“We really made some strides within the side last year, and I think the boys really know what to expect and can take on board what (Cheika) has brought in,” Palu said.