O’Brien is back in fold after neck injury hell
ADAM O’Brien is back on the training field after spending a chunk of his offseason in a neck brace.
The Huddersfield Giants hooker is happy and healthy after overcoming a scary neck injury in the closing stages of the 2020 campaign, though he admits it did leave him with time to reflect on things away from rugby league.
O’Brien suffered a small fracture to the C4 vertebrae in his neck, an injury that is as dangerous as it sounds.
Thankfully, he avoided the need for neck surgery, though he was required to spend almost two months of his life in a brace as part of his rehabilitation.
It’s a relief to all concerned, teammates, friends and family, that he is now back on the field and gearing up for an exciting-looking season with the Giants – though he admits the injury did come with its challenges.
“I don’t think it sank in for a couple of weeks,” he admitted.
“I didn’t think of the bigger picture, being able to walk, having a family, being able to play with my kid.
“But once I got the second scan to say everything had healed up and I got my physio and training rehab on track, it was a big relief.
“There are no complications now and I’m good to go. I got a six-week scan and everything had healed up, so I was back before Christmas and I’ve been with the boys ever since and I’m looking forward to the season.”
O’Brien’s focus is now on a good season, collectively and individually, in claret and gold.
A lot of the pre-season talk surrounding Huddersfield is about new head coach Ian Watson, who has made an impression on the hooker since his arrival at the club.
“I just think he’s come in and he’s timed everything really well.
“Our field sessions are about an hour, an hour 15, they’re short and sharp and you’re running non-stop and doing your drills.
“After that you’re off the field and you’re done for the day, but when you walk on that paddock you’ve got to be switched on, when it comes to rugby you’ve got to be serious and on it. The training suits how Ian Watson wants us to play.
“I think the way he teaches brings consistency, and that’s a big thing for us. We had a really good start last year then struggled after Covid. But with what Ian has brought in and Greg Brown, we’re going to have a lot of consistency. What he wants us to do is on a baseline every week. That’s a big thing for Huddersfield.”