Star Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio has gone from being a nervous wreck in a Perth hospital to being the butt of his teammates' jokes - all in the space of a few weeks.
There were fears Lolesio may have suffered a serious spinal injury when he was crumpled and twisted in a breakdown during the Brumbies' 33-14 win over the Force on May 10.
The 25-year-old was put in a neck brace and stretchered off the field before being rushed to hospital.
Scans ended up clearing Lolesio of a serious injury, and he'll make his return in Friday night's crunch Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Canberra.
"It was a bit scary what happened a few weeks ago, not just for me, but for my partner and family as well," Lolesio said.
"It was a really stressful time, that 24 hours after it happened.
"Just sitting there in the hospital waiting for like seven, eight hours.
"To get the (good) news at the end of it was really pleasing.
"The diagnosis was there were no micro fractures, it was more the ligaments were irritated and stretched a little bit.
"So I just needed a week or two to chill out, and then started training, and once it warmed up, it feels good."
The quicker-than-expected recovery means Lolesio is available to play against the Crusaders - a game the Brumbies need to win in order to lock in a top-two spot.
But it also means Lolesio has been on the receiving end of plenty of banter from his teammates.
"I copped a bit of stick from the boys, as you can tell," Lolesio said with a laugh.
"They're saying two green (instant pain relief) whistles for a sore back."
The third-placed Brumbies (43 points) are already guaranteed a home qualifying final.
But if they beat the second-placed Crusaders (45 points), it will guarantee them a top-two finish - and hosting rights for the semi-finals if they make it that far.
"Everyone knows the stakes of it," Lolesio said.
"The last few years we've always had a semi-final away, and it's pretty difficult to win, especially across the ditch."
The Brumbies could even finish first on the ladder if they defeat the Crusaders, and the last-placed Highlanders upset the ladder-leading Chiefs (46 points) on Friday night.
