"That delayed our plans a little bit," Sam said.
Surgery was an option but Ben took the rehabilitative route, staying in Tauranga to continue training with their coach, Markus Dieckmann, who took German mens' pair Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann to Olympic gold in London in 2012.
The brothers missed the Asian tournaments due to Ben's injury but Sam partnered with fellow Tauranga athlete Mike Watson to play in Europe over the last couple of months, picking up a few vital world ranking points.
Sam said the tour was less about results and more about getting back into competition shape.
This week the brothers planned to be back training together on Mount Maunganui beach, preparing for Commonwealth selection events in January.
Ben was still recovering so could not yet execute all manoeuvres, but Sam reckoned he would be better in the next few months.
Meanwhile, Matamata's Kelsie Wills has moved to Tauranga to begin training this week for Commonwealth selection events.
The 24-year-old played indoor volleyball in France for a few years before returning to New Zealand.
Over the past few months she has been making her beach volleyball comeback on the European and Asian tour circuits, competing in a new partnership with Hamilton's Shaunna Polly.
They came home with a fourth from Monaco and third and fifth placings from two tournaments in South Korea.
Wills said the pair were so new they did not have a coach yet, and had been training alongside another top local team, Julia Tilley and Alice Bane.
The full list of Tauranga athletes vying for a place in the selection tournament for nomination to the Commonwealth Games are Sam O'Dea, Ben O'Dea, Mike Watson, Brad Fullerton, Rene Kapa, Morgan Seymour, Kelsie Wills, Alice Bain, Julia Tilley, Shannen Bagge and Mel Ruru.
Meet the players this weekend
This Saturday New Zealand's top beach volleyball athletes will be at the Bay Park Stadium Lounge meeting fans and anyone interested in sponsoring a team.
• 11.30am-12pm: Potential sponsors can come and meet the beach volleyball athletes
• 12.15am-12.45pm: Athletes will be available for photos, autographs and chats with fans
The event will coincide with the Indoor Volleyball National League (Northern Zone) playing at the ASB Arena at the same time.
Make Mount volleyball nets permanent: athletes
Volleyball New Zealand wants to see a permanent net installed on the Mount Maunganui beach court.
The Mount conditions - natural beach and clean sand - were already highly regarded by local and international athletes with some foreign teams relocating here to train in their off-season.
Yet, according to professional beach volleyball players Sam O'Dea and Kelsie Wills, it was one of few quality international beach volleyball venues that did not have permanent nets.
O'Dea said they would be a timesaver for athletes training, would enhance the beach's international reputation in the sport, and be fun for the general public or casual players.
"Whenever we leave a net there it's crazy how many others come and enjoy it," professional beach volleyball player O'Dea said.
As far as Volleyball New Zealand project manager Tim Cleaver was concerned, nets equalled Commonwealth Games medals.
He said Volleyball New Zealand was keen to discuss the idea further with Tauranga City Council.
Mount Maunganui beach volleyball calendar
- January 6-7 New Zealand Volleyball Champs
- January 19-21 Mt Maunganui Beach Volleyball Open
- January 23-24 New Zealand Age Group Beach Volleyball Champs
- February 3-4 New Zealand Secondary Schools Champs
- February 9-11 Oceania Beach Volleyball Tour
