Scotland international Sarah Bonar has opened up on a “rollercoaster” 12 months with injury that left her wondering at times if she might ever play rugby at the top level again.
Between the Rugby World Cup quarter-final versus England in Bristol in September last year and Saturday’s WXV Global Series game with New Zealand just gone in Edinburgh, the second-row was dealing with a complex back issue.
Her only game time during that period came when she played 20 minutes off the bench for club side Harlequins at the end of last season and then had a run out for the Barbarians versus Wales in June.
And, indeed, such were the ups and downs during the last year that Aberdonian Bonar, now 32, “didn’t know whether a return was possible or not” to international rugby.
However, she is back now after earning cap number 52 off the bench as the Black Ferns won 66-14 at Hive Stadium.
“It’s been an absolute rollercoaster,” she admitted.
“For four years it has been a rollercoaster with various injuries let alone this one, but this one in particular has probably been the toughest and, at times, I didn’t know whether a return was possible or not.
“I’ve had recurring back issues for a significant part of my career now.
“At the World Cup, I was coming back from a broken foot to play at the tournament.
“From that operation to playing it was eight weeks and that took its toll and it ended up being my back that took the strain.
“In terms of the back injury, after the World Cup we tried to go a bit conservative. It didn’t work and I ended up needing an operation.
“Thankfully, touch wood, we’re in a better place off the back of it and the medical team at Scottish Rugby have been class and have got me back to match fitness.
“We’re back hopefully and hopefully can stay back for a wee while.
“I think the thought of playing for Scotland again is probably the only thing that kept me going through the rehab at times.
“It’s the moments that people don’t see that I missed the most: he changing room moments, the training sessions, just being in camp with the girls. Getting back to those moments definitely motivated me through the tough times.
“Playing for Scotland means the world, it means everything to me.”
Next up in the final game of the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – for Scotland is Australia this coming Saturday at the Hive.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
Sarah Bonar is pictured in action versus the Black Ferns – thanks to Fin Gibbs
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