Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force recruit Harry Johnson-Holmes aiming for round one return from torn Achilles

Western Force recruit Harry Johnson-Holmes is targeting a clean bill of health in time for Super Rugby Pacific opening round as he nears the tail-end of torn Achilles rehabilitation. The tighthead prop, an off-season arrival after years at the Waratahs, is already counting down the days until he can hit the training track to prove his worth to his new teammates. Johnson-Holmes ruptured his Achilles in May, one of several front-row casualties in the Waratahs pack last year as they went through injury hell. Tragically, it was his second such injury, but having already been through rehabilitation once, he is well-placed to be positive about his recovery this time around. “I obviously have a bit of the luxury of knowing what to expect, having gone through it before on the other side, but if I’m using that as comparison, it’s coming along a lot quicker,” Johnson-Holmes said. “We were able to progress to some things quicker than what we had in the past and I’m feeling very well looked after over here, which is obviously a big win from the medical side of point of view. “It’s all progressing well. It’s nice knowing the end is in sight and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m really looking forward to the day I can get the boots back on.” Johnson-Holmes has his sights set on returning in time for round one, although he was wary not to jinx his recovery. “As far as my knowledge goes, we’re ahead of schedule slightly, definitely not behind schedule, which is a massive win when it comes to these things,” he said. “Pending how stuff progresses in the next few weeks and months and whatever else, I should be good to go for a full season of Super Rugby, so that’s a big win.” While Johnson-Holmes is in good spirits as the end of his rehab approaches, he did admit his frustration over being unable to properly introduce himself to his new teammates on the field. “As a footy player, you want to be able to present yourself and be represented by your actions and how you train and the work you do for your teammates,” he said. “Moving over to a new club, which I’ve never really done before, you do feel a little bit lost at times, because you want to be able to get stuck in and and show the boys what your intentions are as a footy player and a teammate.” After seven years and 91 games for the ‘Tahs, Johnson-Holmes is looking forward to swapping the light blue for a darker shade, particularly given the depth the Force have available in the front row this season. “I’ve got no rivals at the moment; I’ve got to be wearing boots to be able to start calling people rivals,” he said. “1-23, there’s no free spots up for grabs. For me, it’s about putting my best foot forward, committing myself to these last stages of the rehab, and making sure by the time I am back training with the full group and playing footy, that I’m playing really high quality performances.” The one-cap Wallaby said he was happy to be reunited with Force coach Simon Cron, who was one of his first coaches in New South Wales. “Crono was my first ever professional forwards coach that I dealt with, and I’d spent a fair bit of time with him prior in the Australian under 20s. “It made for a very soft landing for me at the Force, I know what type of operator he is. “I know his quirks; he’s a weird bloke, but he’ll agree with that.”