PART of the attraction for former Australian under-20s prop Harrison Chapman to move back to Maitland was the chance to play for the NSW Country Cockatoos.
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The powerhouse loose head was set to tick that box at the Division Two National Rugby Championship in Adelaide, starting Thursday.
Instead he is at home nursing a broken hand that has a plate and a series of screws holding it together.
Chapman had surgery on Sunday after snapping a bone in his right hand attempting a tackle on Wanderers centre Nimi Qio in the Blacks' 50-28 loss in the preliminary final.
"Nick Davidson went low and came in to be the second man in the tackle," Chapman said. "I jammed into Davo or something like that. They are probably the two hardest people in Newcastle rugby. I have a plate and a few skews in it and am in a splint for six weeks. The surgeon said being in a splint allows me to start my rehab a lot quicker and will help with my range of motion."
Chapman and Blacks teammate Travis Brooke were drafted into the Far North Coast side for the Country Championships after Newcastle opted not to send a side.
Brooke, who collected the Anderson Medal as Newcastle's best and fairest players, is in Adelaide with the Cockatoos, who open their campaign against Northern Territory on Thursday. A win would secure a date with Queensland Country on Friday night for a place in the final.
"Injuries are a part of footy," Chapman said.
"It happened at a poor time and unfortunately I can't go away with Country. Some of the connections I made with the Far North Coast boys and the Country coaches were strong. There is always next year. I'm only 22 and have plenty of time."
