Former Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone is looking to make a fairytale return to rugby after overcoming depression and a swag of injuries.

The 31-year-old is training with the Brumbies in a bid to win a contract for the 2013 Super Rugby season and has been described as the “fittest he’s ever been”.

Rathbone retired from rugby prematurely in 2009 after being sidelined repeatedly with groin, knee, facial and hamstring issues following 26 Tests and 52 games with the Brumbies.

The tackle-shedding flyer revealed in February this year he had a life-long battle with depression.

A Brumbies’ official confirmed Rathbone hoped to snare a vacant backs position.

“He’s one of several players looking at filling our last few positions,” he said.

“Clyde will continue on when we get back into full pre-season training in October and see how he goes.”

The Brumbies, who were unlucky to miss the finals, also have a second-row vacancy.

South African born, Rathbone captained his birth country’s under-21 side to World Cup victory in 2002 but then decided to play for Australia, which he qualified for through his Australian-born paternal grandmother.

Brumbies coach and fellow South African Jake White was his coach at that World Cup and the pair have remained close.

White offered him a chance earlier this season but Rathbone initially turned him down.