Willis set to return for clash with Canterbury

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato's influential hooker Tom Willis is set to make his return to rugby in one of the game's toughest assignments - against the international-class Canterbury pack.

Willis will be in the Waikato 22 for Friday night's seventh-round NPC match in Hamilton, and could even make the starters in the team named by coach John Mitchell today.

Willis was having a tremendous Super 12 for the Chiefs and looked to be pushing for a return to the test side when a back injury struck, ironically against his old Highlanders team in a round-seven game at Carisbrook.

The extent of the injury, an acute prolapsed disc, was not discovered until after the Chiefs had travelled to South Africa for their next match against the Cats.

The flight aggravated the condition. Willis required an operation and resumed full training about a month ago.

Waikato manager Glenn Ross said the five-test hooker had been extremely precise and dedicated about his rehabilitation.

"He has been the consummate professional," Ross said.

The return of Willis adds another high-class dimension to the Waikato pack, which has welcomed back Jono Gibbes and Marty Holah in recent weeks.

Hooker Scott Linklater has had a strong season, but Waikato's hooking resources have been stretched.

Veteran Greg Smith has been advised to end his career after suffering repeated problems related to a head injury.

And national colt John Pareanga, who rushed to South Africa to replace Willis in the Chiefs, has apparently disappeared from top-level rugby.

Meanwhile, Isaac Boss looks set to continue at fullback, with Todd Miller unlikely to beat injury in time for Friday's match.

Roger Randle and Regan King, who are making their way back from long-term injuries, are unlikely to follow Willis into the NPC side this week.

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