'Couldn't feel my legs’: Walton reflects on dark times before Waratahs return

NSW Waratahs centre Joey Walton has reflected on his remarkable journey back to Super Rugby after a bevvy of setbacks.

Walton has been building consistent minutes for the club, with last month's start against the Chiefs breaking a 763-day drought between games.

It sums up his struggles with injury over the past two years, suffering long-term ankle and knee injuries.

However, it was a recent back injury that Walton admits hurt him the most emotionally.

Walton made the trip to New Zealand and the ITM Cup at the end of 2022, helping the Bay of Plenty to the semi-finals.

He relished the freedom of the attacked-focus Steamers ("We didn't have a defensive coach", remarked Walton) starting in ten straight games before a 'quick' stint on the sidelines with a herniated disc

“I went to the NPC, I played and felt like I’d got away from the injuries then I wasn’t quite ready for that one,” he explained.

“It struck me when I was feeling pretty good. I’m lucky it was a quick one. It was only 12 weeks from the op until I played again, but early doors on that one that was tough.

“I still don’t really know (what happened), it’s a mystery. I suppose I had such a long period off Rugby with the ankle and knee, I just went straight in and played a whole season. 

“I just sort of woke up one day and couldn’t feel my legs, so it wasn’t great.”

After a myriad of setbacks, it'd be easy for Walton to start pondering another career and life away from Rugby.

“Not for a second,” he remarked when asked about the potential.

“I don’t really know how I did it. After being angry and upset for so long eventually it just turns and you’ve just sort of got to get on with it.

“There’s nothing more fun than playing rugby so once you get out there, you’re out there.

“It’s definitely a gradual thing, small milestones in your rehab when you go from learning to walk and then you start running, jumping, sprinting. 

“As you just slowly tick those things off, you’re building confidence and you just get excited when you know you’re going to play soon.”

Walton and the Waratahs were riding high after last Saturday's victory, preparing for the difficult task of facing the Blues at Eden Park.

The 22-year-old is one of few to taste success at the home of the All Blacks, a narrow 21-17 win with Bay of Plenty over Auckland in October, unfazed by the fact they will likely enter Saturday at double-digit odds with most bookmakers.

“If you look at my career so far the odds have been stacked against me the whole time. It’s nothing new,” he said.

“I think all the boys, if there’s a lot of us out or more boys coming into the team, everyone should be excited and fresh and all we can do is our best.”