Mitchell Chapman goes from doom and gloom to a Super shot at history with NSW Waratahs

AT the start of 2014, Mitchell Chapman was wondering if his career was over. Today he’s part of the Tahs’ charge towards their first title.

Daily Telegraph. Super Rugby. The Waratahs vs the Cheetahs tonight at Allianz Stadium. Pictured is Mitchell Chapman

AT the start of the year Mitchell Chapman was wondering if his career was over.

Today he is a vital part of the Waratahs’ charge towards their first Super Rugby premiership, having overcome one horrendous injury just as NSW lost skipper Dave Dennis to another.

Chapman, 31, is one of the great underdog story of the Tahs’ campaign.

The former Queensland and Brumbies lock returned to Australia to join the Tahs last year after a stint in Japan, but looked destined to spend 2014 on the sidelines.

“I snapped the peroneal tendon in my ankle a week before the first trial, and the prognosis was six to eight months,” Chapman said.

“I’ve managed to get back in four-and-a-half which is good, obviously the team has been going well and I thought if I could get back being fit, and if someone was to get injured, I’d be ready to go.

“Unfortunately for Denno that’s happened.”

Asked if his career was in doubt following the injury, Chapman replied: “Once you get over 30 and you start getting that sort of injury, it obviously crosses your mind.

“But I’m a pretty good healer, traditionally I’ve come back pretty well from injuries so I thought if I can get back and fit, not really.

“There were times during the rehab where I had a bad running and thought I’m pushing it too fast, biting off more than I can chew.

“But I just kept trying to take it one step at a time, and not think about the big picture.

“And all of a sudden I was playing for Easts [in the Shute Shield] last week and then managed to get 10 or so minutes [against the Highlanders last Sunday].”

Chapman is expected to keep his bench role for the remainder of the season as back-up to lineout caller Stephen Hoiles, who has replaced Dennis in that capacity.

This Saturday, Chapman returns to the state where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2005, but said he no longer feels affinity with Queensland.

Originally published as Mitchell Chapman goes from doom and gloom to a Super shot at history with NSW Waratahs