Sonny Bill Williams has turned to gymnastics, in his attempt to get back on the rugby paddock.
The All Blacks' star hasn't played since rupturing an Achilles tendon, during the New Zealand sevens team's Olympic Games campaign last year.
But his rehabilitation is moving at a promising rate and the 31-year-old expects to make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in April.
"Slowly but surely. It's a tough old injury to come back from but I'm doing my part and I'm doing my best to hopefully get on that field soon," Williams said, during Thursday's RugbySmart launch at New Zealand Rugby headquarters in Wellington.
That includes doing gymnastics, which he was first exposed to via Cross Fit training.
"It sounds a bit funny but I think it's a point of difference. To me, some of the strongest athletes going around are gymnasts and the things they can do is mind blowing, so about five months ago I started getting into it and nothing I've done in the gym has been as tough."
A big man, at 1.94-metres tall and 108 kilograms, flexibility is critical for Williams.
"It's just all about that functional movement," he said of gymnastics' benefits.
Williams still looks a million bucks and is now eager to show he can play a bit too, having moved away from sevens to sign for the Blues.
"Aiming for around maybe round six, round seven. We'll see how it goes," he said of his likely comeback.
"We've got a lot of depth in that midfield position so there's no rush in getting back on that field. But when the time's right and when the body feels good, I'll be out there."
In Williams' absence, teenager Rieko Ioane produced an eye-catching performance at centre in the Blues' big win over the Rebels last Thursday. Ioane was partnered with Piers Francis, while All Blacks George Moala and Rene Ranger waited for an opportunity off the the bench.
Ioane scored a hat-trick and beat defenders for fun, much the way he had done when he and Williams were in the national sevens squad together.
"I've seen him day in day out doing that for pretty much the last couple of years, so to see him doing it on the big stage of Super Rugby wasn't surprising. I'm happy for him, him and his brother [No.8 Akira Ioane].
"They've trained hard and put in those hard yards and they're getting the rewards."
Williams was in Wellington, along with Black Ferns star Selica Winiata, to promote RugbySmart. It's an educational resource, largely, for amateur players and coaches and covers most of the things you need to enjoy the game safely.
From injury-prevention to rehab, nutrition, respect and and responsibility and concussion, the RugbySmart programme is a joint effort between NZR and the ACC.
Photo: Ross Giblin/Fairfax NZ. (Black Ferns star Selica Winiata, left, and Sonny Bill Williams mix smoothies at Thursday's RugbySmart launch at New Zealand Rugby headquarters in Wellington).