Wallabies great George Smith is doing his best to move on from his brush with Japanese police and concentrate on a Super Rugby return with the Queensland Reds in April.
The flanker has been floored by a career-threatening back injury and admitted on Wednesday he was still unable to jog, as he aims to play what would be his 18th professional season.
But Smith insists things are on track, with the ageless 37-year-old to commence running shortly with a comeback date on April 7 for the Reds' clash with club ACT Brumbies.
"I've got a target of April to be back and playing and there hasn't been any setbacks in regards to my rehabilitation," he told reporters in Townsville.
"I'll see if I can get three months of pre-season into four weeks."
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A return would help the new-look Reds on the field but also allow the 111-Test veteran put the embarrassment of an 18-day stint in Japanese police custody behind him.
While in Japan contracted to Top League side Suntory Sungoliath, Smith was arrested for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver while attempting to evade a $110 fair on December 31.
Asked what the experience was like, a sheepish Smith offered little.
"It happened, the incident happened, all charges were dropped and I'm concentrating on the season," he said.
"It was reported here in Australia, I've moved on and I'm very excited about this Queensland season."
The Queensland Rugby Union fined Smith for failing to inform them of his arrest.
Smith expressed remorse in his apology to the QRU board on his return to Australia earlier this year, while it is unclear whether he will see out the final year of his Top League contract.
The Reds have won one and lost one under new coach Brad Thorn this season, before they host South Africa's Bulls at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
