Fitzgerald back from the brink and raring to go

Luke Fitzgerald was reduced to tears when he first discovered the severity of his knee injury but now appreciates the way it has altered his outlook on rugby.

The elusive winger will make his first Test appearance in a year when he lines-up against South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Twelve months ago he damaged the lateral collateral ligament of his left knee during the 20-20 draw with Australia.

It was a sickening blow to the Leinster back, who had made the Ireland number 11 jersey his own during a breakthrough year that included a Test start on the Lions tour of South Africa.

But having accepted his misfortune and begun the painful process of recovery, the 23-year-old has been forced to re-evaluate life outside of sport.

“When I was told how significant the injury was on the night of the Australia game there were tears shed, I’m not ashamed of saying that,” he said.

“I was upset because I thought it might be the end. I gathered myself and told myself it’s not the end of the world, there are people in far worse situations me.

“My family gathered around me and I had to move back home for a few months, which was actually quite nice.

“Everyone really looked after me. I have three sisters and they were fantastic.

“It’s certainly changed the way I look at the game. You realise how fickle sport can be and how quickly it can all change for you.

“The incident was just two to three seconds long, but even that short time changed the course of the next year.

“You certainly learn to appreciate it a bit more.

“If I wasn’t a rugby player I’d probably still be in college.

“When I left school I messed around in college and didn’t work hard.

“I really regret it now, so I’m working my way through my business degree two nights a week.

“When I was out injured I almost felt a bit pressured. I thought jeez, I haven’t developed this area and I need to catch up.”

The unusual nature of the injury led crack consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ray Moran overseas for advice on how best to perform the operation.

“Ray was fantastic and very reassuring in the initial period even though he was giving me very bad news,” said Fitzgerald.

“He was consulting with guys in the NFL because that was the only place this type of injury had been seen.

“He also went to consult a surgeon in Abu Dhabi about it. He did an unbelievable job.”

Fitzgerald vividly remembers the second-half incident at Croke Park that led to the injury.

“I was alongside Brian O’Driscoll when Quade Cooper stepped inside,” he said.

“I wanted to cut him in half but he ended up cutting me in half. He slipped into me, it was one of those unfortunate things.

“I felt it go and did a few soccer rolls. It was a bad one and I knew straight away.”

Fitzgerald made his comeback at the start of this season after opting against participating in the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

The decision is already yielding benefits with the gifted winger, who possesses a terrific side-step, feeling revitalised with the World Cup under a year away.

“Missing the summer tour was the best decision for me and my career,” he said.

“I said in interviews that I could possibly have pushed to go, but I don’t think I could have.

“I was training well but it just didn’t feel right. I wasn’t fully ready so I made the best decision for me long-term. It was a very simple decision.

“Ray told me that touring was a bad idea and that if I miss it, I’ll feel much fresher. It’s worked out very well.”