KEY POINTS:
Tom Donnelly will make his second start this season for the Highlanders against the Waratahs in Sydney tonight and try to make up for lost time.
He was not in the initial squad as he was recovering from shoulder surgery and when he was fit two months ago, he was not eligible for selection.
Sanzar rules state that a player may not be added to a squad unless someone in that particular position is injured.
Then the rugby gods conspired to simultaneously deal Donnelly an unexpected opportunity and his close friend and fellow lock James Ryan a career-threatening blow, when Ryan was ruled out of rugby for seven to nine months with a knee injury.
Donnelly said: "I was incredibly disappointed for James. He's been playing outstanding football and to get an injury like this at this stage of his career was disappointing.
"I'm really gutted for him."
Donnelly, 25, is highly rated for his work ethic and ball-winning ability, but he needs to prove his fitness and work on his ball-carrying if he is to progress.
Time on the sidelines - the shoulder was his second major injury - gave him a chance to contemplate the rebirth of his career.
"It's tough, because you're sort of in among the boys and at training but you're not getting on the paddock. You get a bit down at some stages.
"But you come back fresh and ready to go and it makes you a lot more hungry to be playing. I'm still a bit sore but itching to get back out there."
Donnelly could be a trump card for the Highlanders as they face a Waratahs side without leading locks Dan Vickerman and Al Kanaar.
The Highlanders must find the steel to avoid a poor end to the season.
Donnelly said: "It's no secret that we haven't finished that well in the past and this is an opportunity to remind people that we are capable of playing some good footy."
If nothing else, the Highlanders can look back to 2004, when they won against all odds in Sydney, as motivation for tonight's game.
That was against a far superior Waratahs side, too.
This lot has been ravaged by injuries, defections and abysmal form, and the question is whether that makes them tricky opposition or easy prey.
The Highlanders will hope Jimmy Cowan can get straight back to his influential best after an injury break.
If Nick Evans kicks his goals, if the tackling is accurate, if mistakes are avoided at critical moments - then, and only then, can the Highlanders be confident of victory.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
