England's Jack Willis posts six-minute video diary detailing shocking array of damage to his knee and reveals when he might be back fit
Stricken back row Jack Willis has shed light on the devastating array of injuries suffered by his knee when he came off the replacements bench to play for England in last month’s Guinness Six Nations round two win over Italy. Willis lasted just six minutes in his third England appearance, enough time for the 24-year-old to score a try before getting crocodile rolled at a breakdown by Italy’s Sebastian Negri.
Although it was known his knee had suffered multiple injuries, Willis has now detailed the precise nature of the extensive damage that had been done and fears he could be sidelined from the game for up to a year.
Having previously been through this time-consuming process of recovering from a serious knee injury, the Wasps forward has now decided to document his latest recovery and he posted a six-minute video to his Instagram account where he described what he was feeling at various stages in the lead-up to his recent surgery in London.
The revealing footage opened with Willis explaining his motivation for being so open in telling England and Wasps rugby fans all about his latest brutal injury. “I felt it was worth explaining my main motivation behind this, why I want to document what I’m going through during rehab and everything really.
“I have spent a lot of time over the last couple of days thinking about what is ahead and remembering what I was through the last time, the 18 months or whatever it was I spent out. There are times you need motivation, you need to find something from somewhere.
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“I probably want to use this as a tool to keep me motivated throughout the whole of it and keep me focused. It’s tough thinking about what I am going to be missing and how hard I have worked to get back to that point but it’s going to be worth it to get back to that.”
The video then shows Willis waking up and assembling a crutch following a difficult night’s sleep and next there is some footage of him meeting with Andy Williams, the surgeon renowned for operating on so many high profile sports people’s damaged knees.
Williams is pictured telling England rookie Willis: “I’d be disappointed about anything other than full recovery.” The clip then shows Willis’ reaction when back at home after he had absorbed everything that has been said to him about his scans. “I went and saw Andy Williams down at Fortius. Weird feeling really. Got a better feeling for where we are at. Basically figured out after the scan as well what I had done and just spoke in more detail about what that means.
“So I have torn my MCL (medial collateral ligament) off the bone at the bottom, torn a bit off the top as well, so I am going to need that fully repaired. Torn both menisci, the medial meniscus from the root one side. Pretty gutted. I could be out for up to a year. Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment.”
What Willis has documented then concludes with him heading to London for his operation and he even posts from his hospital bed just prior to getting taken down to the surgical ward.
“Exciting day today. It feels like a step in the right direction. It has been a long few days waiting for the surgery with the fact that I’m not yet sure on timeframes yet. It could be six months, nine months, twelve months depending on what needs to be done to the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament). Yeah, pretty nervous to be honest with you.
“It’s the morning of the operation. There has been a lot on my mind. I just want to get this done, that’s the main thing. At least I know I am starting the process once I have got this done. I was thinking last night how much post-op this is going to hurt but fingers crossed.
“They are coming to grab me now for theatre. Really looking forward to getting it done now and cracking on with the rehab and coming through to the other side. I spoke to Andy just now and he is going to go in there and find out what the best plan is and whatever will be will be. Six months, twelve months, nine months, we’ll take it on. Looking forward to it. See you on the other side.”
"As the doctor came on I put more weight on my leg and it just buckled"
– @dan_lydiate guested on this week's RugbyPass Offload talking ACL, his emotional @WelshRugbyUnion comeback and his fleeting time working with Wayne Pivac#sixnations https://t.co/RndUnOtsBU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 5, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments