Waratah rugby gun Mahe Vailanu feared he wouldn’t walk again during dark times post surgery

He’s fierce and uncompromising on the field but it wasn’t that long ago Mahe Vailanu was brought close to tears by the most ordinary of tasks – taking a few steps forward.

Mahe Vailanu celebrating a try during before his knee injury.

He’s fierce and uncompromising on the field but it wasn’t that long ago that Mahe Vailanu was bought close to tears by the most ordinary of tasks – taking a few steps forward.

This Waratahs tough guy is proving an intimidating presence for the NSW club off the bench, putting his body on the line in a sport he once played with rolled up sandals to simulate a ball during childhood games in his Tongan village.

Now Vailanu has given an emotional insight into his journey back from a knee injury he feared would prevent him from walking properly, let alone running, and the mental and physical toll it took on him.

But come Saturday at Allianz Stadium when the Waratahs are chasing their third win of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, Vailanu will be the one coming off the bench smiling – on the inside at least.

For the first time Vailanu has detailed his initial struggle with the pain her experienced post reconstructive knee surgery and the mental challenges of his recovery before his eventual return to elite competition after almost 10 months away.

How perseverance and help from his fiancee helped him return to his happiest place – the rugby pitch — after going under the knife last May.

Mahe Vailanu afters coring a try before he was sent to the sidelines with a severe knee injury.

“The first few months were really tough, especially with no family here to look after me but my partner was here helping me through the tough time,’’ said Vailanu named to come off the bench in the Tahs battle with the Western Force at Allianz stadium on Saturday.

“There were a couple of days when I didn’t leave the house, especially after surgery.

“The pain that I went through was, I can’t explain it. It was really tough.

“I had to get the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) reconstructive and I had to repair my meniscus as well as I couldn’t walk at all for a couple of weeks.

Mahe Vailanu playing in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific event.

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“Then I was in a PCL brace for like four months. It was so annoying.

“It was my first time going through something like that. I had an injury before, but it wasn’t long-term.

“Last year was probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever been through.’’

Vailanu said one of the most stressful things was fearing he would not be able to walk again properly.

“It was really hard for me to learn how to walk again,’’ he said

“I actually I was in the PCL brace and they had to repair the meniscus and it was really hard to learn how to walk again.

“I almost cried when I did. Almost cried when I ran.’’

“When I ran for the first time it felt weird. I was a bit nervous. Then it just felt to good to be running again. I didn't think I would ever run again.’’

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Vailanu, who came to play at Gordon after a rugby school scolarship in Auckland, said the experience has solidified his love for the game and his teammates and made him tougher.

“Mentally I’m probably stronger now because of the tough times I had to go through. I feel like I can probably go through anything now,’’ he said.

“It’s just great to be playing out there with my mates.

“Rugby is something I’ve always just really wanted to do

“It makes me really happy when I run out for the Waratahs especially at Allianz Stadium.

“It feels special and it makes me happy. Just running out there is really special.’’

Waratahs squad to take on Western Force: Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Henry O’Donnell, Joey Walton, Darby Lancaster, Lawson Creighton, Jake Gordon; Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair, Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell. Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly.

Originally published as Waratah rugby gun Mahe Vailanu feared he wouldn’t walk again during dark times post surgery