NEWS ARCHIVE > Second Quarter 2011
Cusiter hoping for World Cup chance
11th Jun 2011
Xodus Steelers Ambassador Chris Cusiter believes a summer stint in Australia has improved his chances of making Scotland's World Cup squad.
The scrum-half missed most of last season with a knee injury and played three games for Southern Districts in Sydney to boost his fitness.
"It went really well. My knee is 100% healed and it was important for me to get some games under my belt.
"I'm in a good place with World Cup selection coming up."
The 52-times capped Glasgow Warriors man missed 11 months of rugby, including this year's Six Nations, but has been included in a provisional squad of 40 for the World Cup in New Zealand.
"I managed the last three games for Glasgow but as everyone went for the off-season I thought I needed a bit more game time," the 28-year-old explained.
"It's was not quite the same level as the Magners League, it's semi-professional, but it was a pretty good standard, with some fantastic players.
"I played three 80 minutes down there and had a great time. I'm certainly fitter than when I went.
"We start pre-season training [with Glasgow] on Monday and that's going to be a big help as well, doing that fitness work, the weights and conditioning.
"Final selection for the World Cup is in August and that's the big goal for every Scottish rugby player in the squad of 40.
"I'm desperate to be there, desperate to make the team, but there's a lot of hard work to be done between now and then."
Cusiter set for Glasgow comeback
12th Apr 2011
Scotland scrum-half and Xodus Steelers Ambassador Chris Cusiter will make his comeback following an 11-month absence for Glasgow against Benetton Treviso this weekend.
“I’m a rugby player so it’s not much fun being in the gym after a while. I’m finding it pretty tiring obviously having been out for so long but I’ve tried to keep my fitness as high as possible.”
Cusiter has not played since suffering a knee injury in May last year but has been included in Sean Lineen’s squad for the Magners League clash on Saturday.
And the 52-times capped player is looking forward to his return after declaring his knee to be ’100 percent’.
“It’s been a long time coming and I’m really very happy to be back,” he said. “It’s been the longest 11 months of my career with a lot of ups and downs so I’m just happy to be back and I’m looking forward to the game.
“I can’t feel it at all when I’m running so all the doctors and physios who have helped me have done a great job.
“Sean has been very patient and kept me in the loop so I’m really grateful for this opportunity to repay the faith everyone has had in me.”
Cusiter captained his country in the months before his injury and he is keen to represent Scotland at the World Cup in New Zealand in September.
“I absolutely want to be involved in the World Cup,” he added. “I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility at all.
“I feel I can get back to full form pretty quickly. I’ve kept myself in good shape but I’ll know a lot more after Saturday.”
The 28-year-old is relishing his return to action after a long rehabilitation.
“I’ve just loved being outside, to be honest,” Cusiter said. “I’ve been in the gym lifting weights, boxing and cycling so it’s great to be out in the sunshine running around playing rugby.
“I’m a rugby player so it’s not much fun being in the gym after a while. I’m finding it pretty tiring obviously having been out for so long but I’ve tried to keep my fitness as high as possible whilst I was injured so that will hopefully benefit me.
“It’s going to take me a while to get back up to speed but I’ve got to start somewhere and Italy is a great place to begin.”
