Even before the curse of the virus struck, the Wallamba Bulls' fearless flanker, Rhys Hessing, knew he would be missing in action from the start of this winter's Lower Mid North Coast rugby union premiership.
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In the family tradition, hard-tackling, agile and tough, Hessing received a late tackle behind play during last season's play-off series, requiring him to make a trip to hospital with a damaged shoulder.
It is an injury that continues to dog his steps.
Such were Hessing's visible difficulties that the Bulls' coach, Peter White, told him he did not wish to see him during early-season training and pre-season workouts this year before the start of the Kennards Hire competition, initially scheduled for this Saturday, April 4.
Coach White has the highest regard for Rhys Hessing and his older brother, Daniel, saying of Rhys:
"He is such a slightly-built player, he invariably plays twice as hard and fast as others throughout the season.
"Pound for pound, Rhys is one of the most courageous forwards in the club."
The Hessing brothers were crucial figures in the Wallamba Bulls' two premiership-winning campaigns of 2017 and 2018.
As for a start to the Kennards Hire premiership, coach White considered May 2 an ambitious date, but, hope springing eternal, he said: "With any luck, we might eventually see an abbreviated, two-round competition.
"With the coronavirus, however, it is very much a day by day, week by week proposition."
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