Crusaders prop George Bower has revealed that he is mentally stronger and physically ready to get back on to the field as the 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off tonight.
Bower did not manage to complete the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Crusaders after suffering an injury against the Reds in round 6 of the competition.
The 31-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and underwent surgery ruling him out for 10 months.
Bower says during his recovery period, he was fortunate enough that he did not go through it alone as he also had his teammate and fellow Fijian Sevuloni Reece with him recovering as well from the same injury.
He says they were always encouraging each other and motivating each other during the rehab phase.
Bower says thinking back about those challenging times going through that rehab phase, it was all worth it as they are now back playing again.
Bower is originally from Levuka, Ovalau and was born in Wellington.
The mobile prop made his debut for the Crusaders in 2019 after an impressive season with Otago in NZ’s Mitre 10 Cup.
He went on to make his debut for the All Blacks in 2021 against Tonga.
Bower has been named to start for the Crusaders alongside three other players who have links to Fiji against the Chiefs tonight, and they are Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece and Levi Aumua.
The Crusaders will take on the Chiefs at 6.05pm tonight at FMG Stadium in Waikato.
Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Blues at 3.35pm tomorrow in Auckland.
In other round 1 matches, the Rebels will play the Brumbies at 8.35 tonight, the Force will take on the Hurricanes at 11 tonight, the Highlanders will host the Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm tomorrow, and the Reds will take on the Waratahs at 9.05pm tomorrow.
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