'I just wanted to scream': Kahu on road to recovery ... again

He has endured a long list of serious injuries which might've forced other players into retirement, but Jordan Kahu is only human and occasionally feels the need to vent his frustration.

Recovering from October shoulder surgery, the Broncos' winger recently suffered a slight tear to his lower calf.

He had been a month and a half ahead of schedule in his return from shoulder surgery, but his latest calf problems are set to delay his return.

The 29-year-old took to social media to express his frustration.  

"I had that photo just sitting in my album and it felt like the right time to bring it out because it perfectly depicts how I was feeling in that moment," Kahu said.

"It's those little uppercuts like the calf that probably hurt me the most. I just wanted to scream, I was so angry and frustrated and the post was a way that I could let my steam out and express my emotions."

In the last nine years Kahu has battled a series of serious injuries that required surgery. And it doesn't make for pleasant reading.

He had ACL reconstructions in his right knee in 2011 and 2012, a broken hand and thumb in 2013, a ruptured MCL and partially torn ACL of the left knee in 2014, a left knee arthroscope in 2015, groin surgery in 2017, a broken jaw in 2018, and finally a fractured eye-socket and shoulder surgery last year.

Kahu said at times he struggled to cope but with the support of his family and more recently the courage shown by Bulldogs five-eighth Kieran Foran on social media, it has helped him deal with his own time out of the game. 

Foran said in his post: "I believe my injuries are a by-product of my genetic makeup and a consequence of what I've pushed my body through over the year".

Kahu knows exactly how Foran feels.

"When he posted that I was like, man that's literally how I feel," Kahu said.

"Me and Foz (Foran) aren't real close mates or anything, but we just have that same common theme. Foz didn't know he touched me deeply with that post.

"If he didn't share that then I might not have had the courage to post what I did recently, but I did it not just for myself but for someone who may be going through something similar to let them know it's okay to speak out."

Another person who knows all too well about the toll injuries can take on you mentally and physically is former Brisbane Broncos winger Jharal Yow Yew, who spent an extended period in rehab alongside Kahu after suffering 10 surgeries in 19 months across 2012 and 2013.

Yow Yew reiterated the importance of having support around you during a time of hardship.

He said Kahu made those tough times a whole lot easier.

"That bond we created in rehab was quite special," Yow Yew said.

"We helped each other through some of the toughest times.

"I couldn't have got through a lot of things and I'm sure he would be the same if we weren't there pushing each other. It really was a breath of fresh air having him in there with me."

But despite Kahu experiencing countless setbacks, Yow Yew believes he will return to the competition more determined than ever.

"It's not in his DNA to take no for an answer," Yow Yew said.

"He'll do everything in his power to come back stronger and better. That's why he was ahead of schedule because he works so hard.

"When he returns he will really push whoever is playing in the wing, fullback and centre positions.

"They will have to play good every week to ensure he does come back and take their spot because he's more than capable of doing that."