Western Force winger Chance Peni is a chance to make a stunning comeback from injury in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Perth.
Peni thought his season was over when he tore his left groin during the round-seven win over the Southern Kings on April 9.
But a quicker-than-expected recovery has given Peni an chance to return as early as this week.
"My fitness is up there. My running is getting there," Peni said.
"We'll leave it to see how everything goes towards the end of the week.
"I was down when they told me it could have been the whole year. So knowing I can now come back is a real plus for me."
Peni had become somewhat of a diamond in the rough for the Force up until that point.
The 23-year-old was born in New Zealand, but made his way up through WA's rugby pathway as a junior before inking a deal with NRL side Wests Tigers in 2014.
Peni signed on with the Force at the end of last season, and he showcased his potential with three tries in six games before getting injured.
The powerful winger was even being talked up as a Wallabies bolter before the injury, and said he would relish the chance to play for Australia if ever given the opportunity.
He would also be eligible to play for the All Blacks if they ever came knocking.
The Force kept their faint finals hopes alive with an upset 40-26 win over the Reds in Queensland last Friday.
But they'll need to win their last three games - against the Hurricanes, Rebels, and Waratahs - if they are to have any chance of leapfrogging the Brumbies into top spot of the struggling Australian conference.
Peni said his team were still holding out hope of snaring a finals berth.
But he said the Force's immediate goal was becoming the first Australian side to beat a NZ outfit this season.
The Force were pumped 55-6 by the Highlanders in Perth a fortnight ago, and Peni said the team were desperate to atone for that performance.
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