Brothers Kurt and Ryan Hammer have both been knocked around (last pun, promise) but the Taieri halfbacks are back playing and competing for the same jersey.
If you saw Kurt at the start of the year you would have thought his chances of playing senior rugby again were bleak.
The 24-year-old had lost 12kg and was struggling to get over a bowel operation to remove a growth.
And Ryan has had his share of setbacks, as well. Knee and shoulder injuries appeared to have curtailed his playing career.
But Kurt produced an inspirational performance to help Taieri wrest the Challenge Shield off Dunedin at Kettle Park last weekend.
He set up the game's opening try and got on the score sheet later in the half in a dominant display.
Taieri's chances of making the playoffs have slipped away, which makes its Challenge Shield defence against Harbour at Peter Johnstone this weekend all that more important.
Kurt is looking forward to the game but during his difficult recovery questioned whether he would get back on the field.
''When I was struggling to get around, it seemed a very long way away,'' the personal trainer said.
''But it was around that three-month mark where I thought, 'No, this is achievable'.
''I wouldn't say I've sat back and let it happen. I've worked pretty hard to get back out there.''
Kurt started feeling ill midway through the season last year. No-one was sure what was wrong with him. He was given a capsule to swallow which remarkably had a tiny camera inside it.
A growth was discovered and he had it removed, along with 10cm of intestine, in January.
''I ended up being in hospital for about 12 days. I lost 12kg and had about two months off work.''
''It was pretty tough those first few weeks with the way things went. I got an infection in my wound and they had to cut me back open a day later and it just went from bad to worse.''
It was about five weeks before he was walking comfortably. He was desperate to get back on the rugby field and ''probably rushed things''.
He made his return in the opening game of the second round against University. But his scar tissue flared up, causing a blockage and he spent more time in hospital.
''I didn't want to [take the season off] because it is something I can work towards and something I can do rather than just sitting back and watching.''
Ryan (27) made his playing return this year after spending several seasons on the sideline as a manager. Knee and shoulder problems had stymied his career but with his brother sidelined, Ryan answered a call to arms.
He enjoys being back and competing with his brother.
''I think he might have it over me at the moment,'' Ryan said.
''There has always been that bit of competition growing up but this is the first time [we've been competing for the same jersey] because he has been below me with the age difference.''
Kurt disagreed with Ryan's assessment.
''There has been a bit of banter around who the best Hammer is and I'll happily give him that one. But we've both matured and we've probably supported each other the most we ever have playing rugby this year together.''
