Tasman Makos: News

Cochrane off injury list for Makos
29-Jul-2010

Marlborough Express - John Alexander
One player jumping out of his skin to play in this year's ITM Cup is prop Hamish Cochrane.

The hulking 21-year-old former Marlborough Boys' College captain and New Zealand under-20 world champion front-rower has not played a game of rugby since appearing for the Makos against Wellington at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim last October.

A back-disc injury required major surgery in the off season and now he's been given the all-clear to try it out and see how it stands up to the rigours of contact.

Cochrane ran freely at training yesterday, took part in all the drills and is hopeful of getting back on the paddock and playing soon.

"It's coming on real good. Starting to feel confident. I had a prolapsed disc last year and I had surgery in Christchurch to chip a bit off a disc and relieve pressure on a nerve.

"It's a little up in the air at the moment when I play, depending on how I handle training. Today's training was good. In a bit of contact. I've done some six on six scrummaging. The back's feeling real good. "

Cochrane is short of a gallop fitness-wise and said after training, "My tongue was hanging out a bit. I'm getting in some running now and spin sessions on the bike."

Cochrane said he's ready for a big season, but his main goal this year is just to get back on the field playing as soon as possible – and the team certainly needs him.

Not only was he blooded in last year's competition, but he is a big part of this year's team especially given the team's front-row stocks have been severely depleted with six unavailable for various reasons, either having moved to other provinces in New Zealand and off-shore, been injured in the case of the MacDonald brothers Quentin and Jesse or made the All Blacks as Ben Franks has.

Cochrane captained MBC in 2007, played in the world championships New Zealand under-20 team in 2008 in Japan and plays in Nelson for the Waimea Old Boys.