Rod Davies rockets into contention for Reds wing berth after return from knee injury

ROD Davies has burst back into the mix for a Round 1 wing spot for the Reds after conquering the "Terrible Triad" of knee injuries.

ROD Davies has burst back into the mix for a Round 1 wing spot for the Reds after conquering the "Terrible Triad" of knee injuries.

Queensland coach Richard Graham had budgeted to be without the former Wallaby for at least the first month of the Super Rugby season while he recovered from last

year's full knee reconstruction.

Davies' meticulous approach to rehabilitation means he will return in the trials to shock the ambitions of the newcomers coveting his position.

The injury, sustained in the side's final-round win against the Waratahs, was the perfect storm of ligament damage.

It is known by sports medicine professionals as Terrible Triad because it involves tears to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and the lateral collateral

ligament.

Davies also wiped out the meniscus in his knee and questioned whether he had the energy to fight back from the rare injury.

"When the doctor says you've done your ACL, LCL, PCL and meniscus, you doubt yourself," he said.

"But I gave myself the best opportunity because that's all you can do.

"I was back running at four months and in full contact at six. "That beats nine months."

There was no funky rehabilitation technique or mystery elixir to get "Rocket" back on track for the season opener against the Brumbies on February 22.

While the Reds were tackling the Crusaders in the qualifying final in Christchurch, Davies was home in Brisbane having his knee repaired by leading orthopaedic surgeon Peter Myers.

When his teammates took annual leave, Davies ripped into his rehabilitation at Ballymore, mirroring the zealous attention to detail that fast-tracked Will Genia's comeback from knee surgery.

"I was on record last year as saying Willy's discipline to rehab was the best I've seen. There's no doubt Rocket's up there as well," Graham said.

"If I could clone their work ethic and discipline to the cause I would."

Davies concedes the zipper-like scar down his left pin appears ugly "but it looks worse than it really is".

He has full confidence in his condition, that much was obvious at Ballymore on Friday when the winger played in a full contact opposed session to sharpen up ahead of next Saturday's opening trial against the Chiefs in Toowoomba.

Davies charged down one clearing kick, saying later that despite the operation, he had lost none of his trademark pace.

He will need all of that zip to hold off another former Wallaby Dom Shipperley and recruits Lachlan Turner, Chris Kuridrani and Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

"Every year it gets tougher. The younger guys come through in every position," the 24-year-old said.

"Lachie's got 70 or 80 Super Rugby caps, and played for the Wallabies ... there's four or five going for two spots.

"You've got to put your best foot forward."