Tom Banks thought his Test career was over when he crashed into the turf at Optus Stadium and was taken off in a cart with a broken arm on July 2.
The broken arm – the second time he suffered the injury in as many years – left the 28-year-old’s international career in limbo, with the fullback making a mouthwatering $1.4 million move to Honda in the Japanese League Two competition.
With Rugby Australia’s eligibility laws allowing only three players to be picked from abroad, it meant any long-term injury would severely jeopardise his chances of adding to his 20 Tests.
But his rapid recovery saw him included in Australia A’s three-match tour of Japan, with a view of Dave Rennie taking him on the Wallabies’ crunch five-match Spring Tour campaign.
Speaking for the first time since his devastating injury blow suffered against England, Banks said he feared the worst.
“When I first did it, when I felt myself go down, and looked at my arm, it wasn’t too good,” he told foxsports.com.au from Tokyo.
“When I first did it, I thought my Test career was done.”
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Footage of the ugly incident was replayed over and over again in Perth and across television screens.
“I watched it, and when you watch it again, it wasn’t good to watch,” he said.
“I felt bad for my mum and dad and girlfriend watching back at home.”
Fortunately, Banks knew what was in store after breaking his other arm during last year’s Rugby Championship.
A conversation with the Wallabies’ medical staff put his fears to rest that his season was done, with attention turning to how he could make the Spring Tour.
While a return to the Brumbies, with returning head coach Stephen Larkham putting Banks through his paces, ensured he remained sharp.
“Steve Larkham was really good about it and having me back,” he said.
“I think my game is focused around speed so it was really focusing on that top end speed acceleration. And then just high speed skill, being able to catch a ball on the fly and be able to pass real quickly and be able to bounce on passes.
“He just understands the game at a tremendous level.
“He understands when you need to kick, what sort of kick, he obviously does a lot of work with the 10s, so I was sort of sitting in on that.
“He always brings a different point of view, he’s always thinking outside the box, which probably made him so good.”
Should he be selected for Australia A’s second match on Saturday, the fullback will resemble a Marvel character on the field as he wears pads on both arms.
Banks’ return is a curious one.
He has yet to nail down the No.15 jersey since debuting in 2018, but Rennie has repeatedly backed Banks and has never shut the book on him despite his defection to Japan. It is why his injury was such a blow because it did not afford Banks the chance to carry his Super Rugby form into the Test arena.
Yet, injuries and form issues have left the role open, with Andrew Kellaway only recently returning to the role.
Uncapped Reds fullback Jock Campbell mounted a case for inclusion after a strong performance for Australia A last Saturday while Kurtley Beale is expected to be eligible for selection after recovering from injury and the birth of his first child
Rennie values Banks’ positional play, ability under the high ball, boot and, above all, his speed.
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The fact that Rennie is likely to take Banks on the end of season tour also adds weight to the idea that RA could yet tweak their overseas eligibility policy even further because with 10 Tests left until next year’s World Cup, there’s not a Test to waste with a player who won’t be there.
Banks said Rennie’s support had been appreciated.
“Dave’s been phenomenal,” Banks said.
“He’s given me every opportunity to sort of put that claim forward.
“I was really looking forward to the England Test series and this Test year to try and really play well and sort of cement myself in the picture to be available for next year.
“Hopefully that’s still the case towards the end of the year.
“I’m just sort of doing everything I can to try and put myself in the best shape to be able to perform.”
At the very least, a strong Spring Tour would put his name up in lights even if RA does not change their eligibility stance.
Injuries to one of the big three – Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper or Marika Koroibete – overseas or at home could see the focus shift to another player, while there remains a possibility one of the aforementioned names could return to Australia.
Injuries in the second-row or at hooker could see other overseas stars like Rory Arnold, Will Skelton or even Brandon Paenga-Amosa come into the mix, too.
Regardless, Banks wants to mount his World Cup case after the pain of missing out in 2019.
“Obviously ’19 was extremely disappointing,” he said.
“I thought I had a good chance but unfortunately I wasn’t selected.
“I think the World Cup is the Holy Grail to work towards. That’s the biggest thing.
“Dave’s put together a really good game plan.
“I think just a little bit of consistency was what we struggled with this year.
“If you get that right mix together of the game plan he is trying to put together, I think that would be the dream.”
