Ken Owens admits he didn’t know if he’d play professional rugby again as he prepares to face the All Blacks this weekend.
The Scarlets hooker is back in the Wales squad after 11 months out of the game with a back injury. His injury nightmare began, ironically, ahead of last year’s clash with New Zealand - when Owens was forced to pull out of the side just half-an-hour after it was named.
Since then, he’s fought hard to get back onto the pitch - first in the Welsh Premiership, then the Scarlets and now, selection permitting, for Wales this Saturday. His last match in a Welsh jersey came back in the Grand Slam decider against France in March 2021.
"The last 11 months have been tough, mentally, physically, after getting injured this week last year,” said Owens. “I got through this morning's session, which was the one that killed me off last year.
“It's been tough in a number of different ways, not sure whether I was going to recover or not, but it has been a bit of a refresh as well, which has been good.”
There was a point when the 82-cap Wales international, who has also won five caps for the Lions, did wonder whether he would even return to the game. However, the 35-year-old admitted that he didn’t want to live with any regrets over hanging up his boots early.
"Yes, (I came close) a couple of times but I think it was one of those I didn't want to make the decision myself,” he added. “I wanted to see what happened.
"The medical advice from the surgeon was that the nerve can take a bit of time. There were certain times where I thought do we keep going through it but thankfully I tired to stay as positive as I could be and got through it.
"I think the biggest thing was probably if I'd made the decision, would I regret in years to come if I'd gone too soon? If I'd have come back, I'd have known if I was able to compete at this level or not.
“I think it was making sure I'd done everything in my power to come back before making that decision. I think if I hadn't done that, I'd have regretted it in years to come.
"I decided early on that I would give myself every opportunity to return, because I knew even for life after rugby I would need to do the rehab. I threw everything into that and whatever happened, happened, and thankfully I have got the opportunity to be be back among the boys in the Welsh squad, which is a huge honour.”
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Owens admitted he was “surprised” to be called up, citing the form of the other hookers in Wales. Scarlets team-mate Ryan Elias has started 11 of the last 12 Tests in Owens’ absence and there’s no guarantee that the Sheriff will return to the starting XV this weekend.
However, just pulling on the jersey again will be quite something for Owens, as will the chance of making history against the All Blacks.
"It's always meant the world to me, representing my country,” he said. “Last time I played for Wales, we lost out in France in a Grand Slam decider.
“That still nags at the back of my head. You probably don't appreciate things as much until it's taken away from you. Just trying to see if I would be good enough to pull on the shirt, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. This is the first step, getting back in the squad.
“Hopefully things go well and I prove myself and that I'm still good enough to pull on the three feathers again.
"It (beating the All Blacks) would mean a heck of a lot. Wales haven't beaten New Zealand since 1953 and Llanelli were the last Welsh side to beat them.
“That shows you the challenge that is coming. Wins for Welsh teams are few and far between against New Zealand. It would be a nice little bit of history to be a part of."
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