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Perth SVNS: Henry Hutchison’s ‘long fight’ to return after ACL setback
It’s not very often that a rugby sevens crowd draws quiet, but Henry Hutchison’s injury a year ago in Sydney sparked a palpable sense of shock, sadness and empathy among fans.
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Hoping to play through the pain at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium 12 months ago, it became clear the something was wrong with Hutchison. The Aussie went from limping to lying on his back in agonising pain.
After Hutchison was helped from the field and disappeared from the watchful gaze of concerned fans, the Aussies returned to play without the sevens maestro – unfortunately, that became the norm in 2022/23.
It was later confirmed Hutchison, who had captained the Australian men’s sevens team at the Sydney Sevens, had picked up a right knee injury and also ruptured his left ACL.
Hutchison’s season was over. While his teammates continued to travel the world by playing in destinations including LA and Hong Kong China, the two-time Olympian was rehabbing the injury.
It wasn’t a quick process by any means – and Hutchison had to learn that the hard way – but the sevens veteran is finally back in the mix after being named to play at the Perth SVNS this month.
“When you get your knee fixed you have this massive spike of enthusiasm to just get started with the rehab,” Hutchison told reporters.
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“The reality is it’s a long, long fight. It took me 12 months and sometimes less is more and it’s definitely the case for an early stage rehab for an ACL.
“I didn’t nail that in the first month, I was so eager to get my exercises done, to get out there and start walking.
“Knees are really good at telling you when they’re unhappy. You will get swollen or get hot or get sore.
“It was good for me to learn just to ta a backseat and just let the year slowly play itself and then the backend of the year… I’ve caught up and it’s been really quick.”
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Hutchison was a chance of returning to SVNS action at last month’s event in Cape Town, but coach John Manenti didn’t want to rush the 26-year-old back too soon.
Australia decided to take the “conservative” approach with their formerly injured star, and finally, after 12 months, Hutchison’s time is now.
You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face at Rugby Australia on Thursday morning. Every time Hutchison spoke about being back in the mix you could tell just how much it meant to him.
It’s been a long time coming after all.
“12 months is a long time – has been a bit of a team effort. A lot of hours put in by people in this building and outside,” he said.
“It’s been a journey but really excited to get back out there and play at our home event.
“It’s a journey, can break it down into phases. First bit you’re at peace with it then the team moves on and you’re isolated and your body’s not moving as well as you’d like. It’s constantly two steps forward, one step back.
“Nothing but support from the team, coaches, from the support staff and my family and friends. Would’ve been pretty difficult to do it alone but I was lucky I didn’t have to.
“Here, 12 months later, ready to go.”
This is the first major injury of Hutchison’s storied sevens career. “Your wings are clipped,” Hutchison described, but it’s all been part of “growing up and maturing” as both an athlete and person.
With the boost of Hutchison’s return spurring them on, the Aussie men are looking to go one better after falling short in Cape Town.
Australia beat hosts South Africa and traditional sevens heavyweights Fiji on their way to the final, but Argentina were far too good that night in the Western Cape.
But they have a chance to make amends, and the stage doesn’t get much bigger than a SVNS Series leg Down Under at Perth’s HBF Park from January 26 to 28.
“We want to win at home. Winning at home is really important – we go to every tournament to win.
“The pressure’s probably a little bit more than a Cape Town or a Singapore but won’t be as much as Paris so it’s a good little precursor… we expect it more come July.
“That’s part of footy. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. We welcome it and hopefully, we can perform.”
Tickets are on sale for the upcoming Perth SVNS at HBF Park and can be bought HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
6 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
6 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
6 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
6 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
6 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
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