The ACT Brumbies co-captain Christian Lealiifano has vowed to return to the field after reportedly going into remission, six months after being diagnosed with leukemia and sunsequently receiving a bone-marrow transplant.
"I had some really dark days where things got tough and all those negative thoughts come into your mind, the 'why me' and 'should I just give up' type stuff, but to be able to come out the other side of that has been quite an amazing thing," he said.
"It's an absolute blessing to be able to do what we do for a living so I appreciate that more now and life in general."
He says he will spend this season doing some part-time coaching work with the Brumbies, but wants to add to his 117 Super Rugby caps and 19 Tests.
"I'm such a student of the game and I love learning and picking up little things and trying to improve my game while I'm not playing," he said.
Photo: Photosport Christian Lealiifano