Injured New Zealand vice captain Tana Umaga is on target for a quarter final return in the Rugby World Cup should his coaches require him.
The veteran centre is back running on his injured left knee and gave every indication the impossible story was becoming more probable by the day at a media conference in Melbourne yesterday.
Umaga, the 30 year old 53 Test veteran, ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a nasty collision with Carlos Spencer midway through the All Blacks' opening pool match against Italy at the Telstra Dome.
The injury was so bad even coaches John Mitchell and Robbie Deans had to admit at the time it did not look good for Umaga. It was widely presumed the midfield maestro would play no further part in the competition.
Resilience
But the doubters had obviously not taken into account Umaga's almost superhuman powers of resilience and yesterday in Melbourne he stretched out at training on the problem knee, performing a series of agility and speed drills for close to 45 minutes.
Afterwards he told Marc Hinton of the official All Blacks’ website he could be available for selection next week.
"I'm very happy where I'm at now, and hopefully it's just going to get better," he said.
Asked if he could be back for the All Blacks' quarter final in Melbourne on November 8, Umaga said: "Yeah, I suppose. I can only do what I can do and then it comes down to the coaches seeing how I fit in."
Crucial part of the puzzle
The midfielder, considered a crucial piece in the All Blacks World Cup puzzle, said he was right where he expected to be since deciding to go for the RWC comeback.
"I've been pretty determined and have been working hard along with the medical staff. I'm pretty happy where I am and it's probably where I thought I'd be."
Umaga even hinted that, if the decision was solely down to him, he could even be ready by the time of Sunday's final pool clash against Wales in Sydney. It was a scenario he admitted was fanciful, and realism dictated another week of preparation.
Frustrated
"It has been very frustrating," he added of his time on the sidelines. "It's never great being injured, but in saying that you don't want to project that frustration through the team.
"I've been happy about what I've been doing and I've been positive about it. The support from the guys has been great and it's really lifted my enthusiasm to get back out there and help them."
But he also had to admit that first Ma'a Nonu and now Leon MacDonald had responded magnificently when called in to fill the No 13 jersey.
"I thought [Leon] played great. He was decisive in his running and he's a strong defender anyway and they're probably the main things you need as a centre. He also set up his outsides and he kicked great.
"It was yet another opportunity taken by a player in this team. That's the thing about this team - if you give guys an opportunity they'll take it.
Umaga said the All Blacks' medical staff deserved a big rap for their role in his rehabilitation, as did the coaches for persevering with him.
He now just hopes he can convince them next week that, with the first knockout encounter looming, dreams do come true and he does have a role left in this Cup yet.