'I felt like a normal human but I wasn't allowed to do anything for two months' - Jono Lance's back fracture ordeal
It sounded gruesome, a prognosis of 16 weeks out of the game with a broken back. For Worcester’s Jono Lance, though, the stress fracture injury sustained last October wasn’t the worst of his near decade-long professional career.
“I broke and dislocated my ankle a while ago. That was a rough one,” he said, comparing the various setbacks that have confined him at times to the sidelines.
“I unfortunately have had a few injuries, but this one was the weird in the sense that I didn’t feel injured but I knew I needed to take some time out.
“I walking around and I felt like a normal human you could say. I wasn’t on crutches, I wasn’t laboured in any way, I was just a normal human who wasn’t allowed to do anything for two months.
“It was a two-month complete shut-down, which was definitely a refreshing time but also a little frustrating. Then after that it was about slowly building back into it in terms of building up the running load, the strength.
“It was probably about a four- to five-week period of getting into that before skills started and then the last month it has definitely added up to the point we are now at. It’s probably the best I have felt in a year I reckon.”
Not that the rehab was entirely plain sailing. “I’m a frustrated spectator. Away games have been tough because you can’t have too much input, but for all the home games I have definitely tried to get in at half-time and have a chat with Duncan (Weir). If I’m seeing something I definitely want to get that message out to the guys.
“The few weeks before I was back I was running water and messages for the group, which was good way to get back into it. It has been a frustrating time but one that has been about still trying to help in any way possible.”
Happy to be back for this game… not happy this gif was used #pout https://t.co/vZ7Qot25Zy
— Jonathon Lance (@jonno_lance) February 24, 2019
All that patience will be rewarded this weekend, Lance catapulted straight back into the Warriors line-up as a replacement in their relegation head-to-head on Sunday away to Newcastle, the league’s bottom side who trail by nine points.
He’d a brief taste last season of the relegation pressures while on a short-term deal, but the Australian, who had Super Rugby stints at the Reds, the Waratahs and the Force, is still getting his head around a competition formatted very differently to what he was used to back home.
“It’s new to me,” said the out-half, who took up Worcester’s offer of a permanent two-year deal last summer. “I’d a brief taste of it last year when I was here for a few months but to be involved in it fully, it is intense and pressurised and just a very interesting thing to be a part of.
“You can say for all competitions there is no easy games, there are no off-weeks, but this makes it very, very much the truth. For us it’s about building on wins and preparing well for each game, but also about trying to look up the table instead of look behind.
“We know how close the table is and we know putting together a lot of good performances can move you up the table quite quickly – and we want to do that. We’re looking at the teams ahead of us and not below us.
“We want to be looking up the table, we want to be playing in the Champions Cup. Everyone has aspirations… the club definitely feels quite settled and the playing group is very confident in where it is going.
“As well as that, with new owners coming in it’s quite exciting times. To see a guy like Chris Pennell, who has been here for 10 years, excited about the future is all the evidence I need about where we’re looking as a group.”
? Alan Solomons talks about Bryce Heem, Ed Fidow and Sunday’s visit to Newcastle… pic.twitter.com/Ix1VWOJ6EI
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) February 28, 2019
Job security is a relief to Lance after living through the Force’s Super Rugby disbandment. “It’s definitely something I don’t want to experience again,” said the 29-year-old, whose switch to England has been a sort of homecoming for the Aussie.
It was 1999 when he arrived in Yorkshire and spent two years there while his father Dean coached Super League’s Leeds Rhinos. Now he’s back and retracing his steps, even if he’s doing so in a different rugby code.
“I lived in England when I was young when my dad coached the rugby league team in Leeds. It was when I was nine until I was 11. I remember going to the smaller stadiums with the atmosphere and the drums and the trumpets. That definitely made a lasting impression.
“As well as that, the shorter bus rides to and from games is a bit different to flying at least three and up to 12 hours to get to an away game. That is exciting, but also the pressure that comes with the relegation/promotion side of English sport is something that is a drawcard.
“There were many factors but I had enjoyed my three-month stint here at Worcester and when I got back to Australia I enjoyed that but I was looking forward to heading back over here.”
A bus ride to a new destination now awaits Lance. He’s never before been to Newcastle, but is ready for what his comeback weekend has in store.
“It’s definitely exciting to be back. The body is feeling good and it’s about trying to get back to playing some rugby.
“Heading up to Newcastle gives us a good opportunity to spend the night away, enjoy the bus ride up, enjoy the whole weekend that comes with it, have a good dinner together and bond as a group.
“If we enjoy our time together and get stuck in on a Sunday, it puts us in a good position as it is going to be as big challenge.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments