Colin Slade talks to Sky Sports about making up for lost time after an injury-ravaged 2011.
They say bad luck comes in threes and that was certainly the case for Colin Slade and injuries in 2011.
Even though Slade has a World Cup winners' medal and the ITM Cup title to show for his efforts last year, a run of untimely injuries left the talented fly-half cursing his lot.
Having moved to the Highlanders in a bid to make the No.10 shirt his own - he ended up playing second fiddle to All Blacks legend Dan Carter at the Crusaders - Slade's debut was delayed after he broke his jaw in pre-season.
And Slade's injury jinx struck again when he suffered a similar injury in just his third game back.
However, having impressed for Canterbury in the provincial ITM Cup - and scored a try in the final victory over Waikato - the 24-year-old managed to force his way into the New Zealand squad for the World Cup.
And when Carter suffered a tournament-ending injury, Slade must have thought his luck had finally changed.
However, having been handed the chance to step out of Carter's shadow, Slade's World Cup came to a premature end as well when he tore his groin in the quarter-final against Argentina.
Bad luck
Slade, though, is now determined to put his injury frustrations behind him as he looks to return to action against his former colleagues at the Crusaders.
"I've had a really bad run with injuries over the past 12 to 16 months, so I am hoping that my bad luck has run out now," Slade told
Sky Sports.
"It has been frustrating but there are no demons in my head about possibly getting injured again. What's happened has happened and there is nothing I can do about it. I just want to get back out on the field again."
Slade, who missed the opening-day win over the Chiefs as he completed his rehab, could not have asked for a better game to return for - with the Crusaders the visitors to Dunedin.
"It will be a massive occasion facing the Crusaders," said Slade.
"It is always a big game between the two sides but with my history with the Crusaders, too, it will be extra special.
"I have a lot of friends still there and have an idea of their plays so I am looking forward to it."
Contenders
The Highlanders will face the seven-time champions full of confidence after they came from behind to beat the Chiefs 23-19 in Hamilton.
In Slade's absence Chris Noakes stepped in to make his debut and slotted over 13 points before suffering an ankle injury.
And Slade believes the Otago franchise now has the squad to be considered serious challengers for the Super Rugby crown.
"We've got a good team together so there's no reason why we can't be contenders," said Slade. "That is our goal.
"We had a decent season last year and we have added to the squad with some good players, so we will give it a good go.
"Hosea Gear is a tremendous finisher and then there is Tamati Ellison who has come back from Japan. There is lots of experience in the squad and some real strength in depth.
"We've always had a strong pack but we've some real pace out wide now - so there are plenty of options for me to look for."
