After two reconstructions, Dave McDuling set to reap benefits of resilience with Reds call-up

THE never-give-up attitude of Reds forward Dave McDuling is proof Wallaby David Pocock can rebound from back-to-back knee reconstructions.

Dave McDuling mucks around at a Reds training session at Northwood School in Durban.

THE never-give-up attitude of Reds forward Dave McDuling is proof Wallaby David Pocock can rebound from back-to-back knee reconstructions.

McDuling has never been closer to a Reds debut with an energy boost needed against the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday morning (Qld time).

Coach Richard Graham re-signed the 115kg McDuling because he had a hunch his bullocking game would be perfect against South African packs.

Usually a lock, it’s as a big-bodied blindside flanker that McDuling, 24, could become a surprise experiment off the bench against the Lions.

For McDuling, just being immersed in three Reds A games and training daily on tour is something to savour.

Dave McDuling contests a lineout in a trial match between the Reds and Chiefs in February.

If the name doesn’t instantly ring many bells it is because knee reconstructions ruined McDuling’s plans before both the 2012 and 2013 seasons in training and trial mishaps.

“You have the physical rehabilitation with back-to-back reconstructions but it’s also the mental challenges that David has to get through,’’ McDuling said.

“I’m sure he’s gone through the ‘I can’t believe it’ stage after the second one just like I did.

“Unfortunately, I know what he’s going through. Once you make the commitment to do the rehab, you tick off every little milestone on the way back.

“He’s a really dedicated athlete so he’s going to rip right into rehab. He can come back.

“My poor girlfriend Rosie (Allen) had to cop plenty of the grumpy me. The strong support that David too will get from family and friends is a big help.’’

McDuling said taking up Bikram yoga last year was a major plus in his rehabilitation both in terms of extra muscle stretching and variety.

Richard Graham: “We’ll freshen them up but also discuss if we need some extra energy.”

“I’ve seen a bit too much of running up the stairs at Ballymore,’’ McDuling said.

“I did my first knee rehab with Quade (Cooper) and my second with Will (Genia) so there has always been company.’’

McDuling said he hoped to repay Graham’s faith as soon as he won a chance.

“I wasn’t in exactly a strong bargaining position for a new contract when I hadn’t played any Super Rugby in two seasons,’’ McDuling said.

“I was quite humbled that Richard saw something in me and I want to repay the Reds on the field.

Reds No.8 Jake Schatz sweated off 6kg during last weekend’s game against the Sharks in humid Durban where pack mates all shed weight.

“It was like the boys had hopped out of a pool at full-time. We’ll freshen them up but also discuss if we need some extra energy,’’ Graham said.

The Reds must refine their penalty-prone ways or Lions sharpshooter Marnitz Boschoff will punish them with his near 90 per cent strike rate on penalty goals.