Hore and Eaton could make surprise comebacks

Two All Blacks forwards could return to action earlier than expected, with hooker Andrew Hore and lock cum flanker Jason Eaton a possibility to return to the ITM Cup in the coming months.

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Taranaki coach Colin Cooper said that he would welcome the heavy artillery, despite the fact that the side is traveling well with four wins from their five matches.

Initially both players had been ruled out for the rest of the year, but it seems that they could at the very least return in time for one or two matches for their province - and could in theory push for selection for the All Blacks end of year tour.

Hore, who was the All Blacks incumbent hooker last season, dislocated his left shoulder playing for the Hurricanes this year, and Cooper said that there was a possibility the 47 test rake could return for his province.

"It would be nice to think both would be available and it's a possibility," Cooper said yesterday to the Taranaki Daily News.

"I talked to Andrew at the weekend and, if he's right, he could play the last two games. He'll probably come up [from Otago] at the start of October."

Eaton, who injured his left knee playing for the Hurricanes, could begin training in the coming weeks.

The 17 test All Black has recovered from his surgery ahead of schedule.

"For the next four weeks, Jason will float in and out of training and maybe do some contact work. We'll see from there," Cooper said.

This means that Eaton could target Taranaki’s matches at the beginning of October, with the side playing home matches against Southland (Oct 2) and Manawatu (Oct 9).

"Things are going well. It's week by week," Eaton said to the Taranaki Daily News.

"I've been running for three or four weeks, nothing too strenuous. The medical team has been looking after me and they've done a great job."

"I've got two bionic knees now. This rehab has gone better than the first one. I've set monthly goals and I'm on track for those."

"I've put a lot of hard work into the rehab, but the break has also been good. I've been keeping an eye on Taranaki and the boys are going well. They're back on track and just have to keep on building."