Former Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone has set his fairytale return to rugby in motion by signing a one-year deal with the Brumbies.
Rathbone, 31, retired three years ago, but has spent the past few weeks training with his old Super Rugby club in a bid to win a contract.
Backs coach and former teammate Stephen Larkham said on Thursday it had taken little time for them to be convinced.
Rathbone will pull on the Brumbies jersey for the 2013 Super Rugby season, with the option of extending should all go well.
“Clyde’s presented himself in perfect physical condition,” Larkham said.
“He’s stronger than he ever was, he’s almost as quick as he was and (Brumbies conditioning coach) Dean Benton thinks he can get even quicker.
“The signs are there.”
South African-born Rathbone, who has 26 Test caps to his name and has played 49 matches for the Brumbies, was initially asked to consider a return earlier this year by friend and Brumbies coach Jake White.
While he turned it down at the time, Rathbone said the idea of a comeback stayed with him.
“It’s the start of something and just an awesome opportunity,” he said.
“I’m very excited about getting involved again.”
He concedes he still has a lot of work to do before being physically and mentally ready for game time in 2013, but the Brumbies are banking on his experience to bolster their still-young back line.
White was chuffed with his latest acquisition.
His history with Rathbone runs long: he was coach and Rathbone captain when the South African Under-21s won the junior World Cup in 2002.
“From the first time I saw Clyde play as a youngster I knew there was something special about him,” White said.
“From a coach’s perspective, Clyde’s signature is another confirmation that what we are doing with the Brumbies and rugby in the ACT is on track.”