Super Rugby comeback kings for 2014 season
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1226805778594
THE rugby world has been awash with reports that Springboks legend Victor Matfield will make a shock return to action with the Bulls this season.
Aged 37, and having sat out two full seasons of rugby after retiring in 2011, a Matfield comeback for the Bulls - never mind the Springboks as has also been suggested - would certainly be remarkable.
But while we wait to hear whether the rumours are confirmed, there are a host of big-name players definitely ready to make their return to the limelight - either after injury-enforced lay-offs or sojourns in Japan/Europe.
Here are the stars we can't wait to see back in Super Rugby.
SCHALK BURGER (Stormers)
Given all the recent talk about Matfield it's fitting that we kick off this list with his 2007 World Cup-winning teammate, Burger.
The brilliant flanker is a standout sight on the rugby field - but his blond locks have barely been sighted over the past two years thanks to a series of injuries and illness, which have seen him play just one match since 2012.
Burger, the 2004 IRB player of the year, returned to action late last year with Western Province in the Currie Cup and was recently appointed Stormers vice-captain as he prepares for his long-awaited return to Super Rugby.
DAVID POCOCK (Brumbies)
An ACL injury cruelled Pocock's debut season for the Brumbies, which ended after just three games.
It also cost Pocock a chance to take on the British and Irish Lions with the Wallabies, and ruled him out of The Rugby Championship and Spring Tour - with Waratahs young gun Michael Hooper making the most of his absence to star for the Wallabies.
At the peak of his powers Pocock was challenging All Blacks legend Richie McCaw for the mantle of best No. 7 in the game, and he'll be out to prove that he can return to that level when he resumes next month.
In the 2012 season, when he was with Western Force, Pocock led Super Rugby for pilfers (14) and forced penalties (12).
RICHIE MCCAW (Crusaders)
The World Cup-winning captain is also set to make a welcome return to Super Rugby this campaign.
Given we saw so much of McCaw at the back end of 2013 as the All Blacks completed a perfect season of 14 wins from 14 games, it's easy to forget that at this time last year he was putting his feet up for what was the beginning of a six-month sabbatical from rugby.
The 33-year-old returned at the business end of the season for the Crusaders, coming off the bench twice in the finals, but will be looking to have a much bigger impact for the seven-time Super Rugby champions in 2014.
JEROME KAINO (Blues)
Kaino, another World Cup-winning All Black, makes a welcome return to the Blues line-up after a stint overseas.
The blockbusting breakaway had a season in Japan with Toyota Verblitz but is back to boost a Blues back-row that already includes one of the finds of last Super Rugby season - Steven Luatua.
Given Luatua's form at blindside flanker, Kaino might find himself lining up at No. 8 for the Blues.
LACHIE TURNER (Reds)
The former Wallaby flyer has opted for a change of scenery as he looks to get his career back on track after a torn hamstring and broken leg ruined his 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
Turner played just two games in each of those seasons for the NSW Waratahs, for whom he is the second highest tryscorer with 25, and will be looking to hit the ground running for his new side Queensland.
A scintillating ballrunner at his best, Turner is relishing the prospect of running off Wallaby halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
CORY JANE (Hurricanes)
Another speedster looking to bounce back in Super Rugby is Jane, the World Cup-winning winger from Wellington.
A serious leg injury suffered in January last year ruled Jane out of the entire 2013 Super Rugby campaign, as well as The Rugby Championship.
He managed to return to the field late in the year with Wellington in the ITM Cup, and performed well enough to win his way into the All Blacks line-up for the Spring Tour.
His return boosts an already potent Hurricanes backline that includes All Blacks aces Beauden Barrett, Conrad Smith and Julian Savea.
MILS MULIAINA (Chiefs)
How do you improve a team that has won back-to-back Super Rugby titles? Why, lure home an All Black centurion, of course.
Muliaina, one of only five New Zealanders to have played 100 Tests, left the Chiefs in 2011 for Japan and returns to revive his Super Rugby - and possibly All Blacks - career aged 33.
He tallied 104 appearances in his previous stints with the Blues and Chiefs and will offer the dual champions valuable versatility in the backline, given he can play wing, fullback and in the centres.
LUKE BURGESS (Rebels)
Former Wallaby halfback Burgess is back home after two years in France, where he played more than 50 games for Heineken Cup heavyweights Stade Toulousain.
The ex-Waratah, who began his career behind George Gregan in the ACT, already has a Super Rugby cap for Melbourne after coming off the bench against the Brumbies at the end of last season.
The new-look Rebels, who let James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale go in the off-season, will be looking for big things from their star signing who earned 37 Wallabies caps between 2008 and 2011.
