Charlie Ngatai is set to return to Super Rugby this weekend, one day short of a year since he suffered his concussion.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said Ngatai was ready for selection for their round 11 clash against the Reds in New Plymouth on Saturday night, after three appearances for University in Waikato club rugby.
Ngatai, 26, suffered the head knock against the Highlanders in Hamilton on May 7 last year and despite it not even being picked up on the TV cameras, it kept him out of the game until last month.
He returned to the paddock on April 22, playing 40 minutes at fullback for University, before 80 minutes at second five-eighth on ANZAC Day, then another 80 at first-five last Saturday.
Rennie said Ngatai was "ready to go" and was confident that, if they chose to start him, he could last 80 minutes.
"Obviously really nice for Charlie, it's been a long period for him," Rennie said. "But he's worked really hard, he's got himself in good nick. We've all been really cautious around it. He's confident. So fantastic to have him back in. In my opinion, he was probably the best player in Super Rugby until he got injured last year."
Photo By: BRUCE LIM/PHOTOSPORT (This was Charlie Ngatai's last Super Rugby match, against the Highlanders in Hamilton on May 7 last year. He's set to take the park at that level again one day short of a year on).