It’s been a long time since Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu had a more pressing physical concern than his infamously dodgy hamstrings.

But it’s self preservation of a different kind that will be on his mind during Friday night’s rugby trial match against Tonga – his parent’s country of origin.

“I don’t know if it’s testing my hammy, it’s testing my jaw I think,” Palu said of his comeback from the devastating hamstring injury that prematurely ended his World Cup last September.

“I’ll definitely have a target on my head, as the other Tongan (Waratahs) boys will as well.

“I think they save something extra special for us.”

Palu was plagued by hamstring problems throughout 2011, restricting him to just a handful of Super Rugby appearances and cutting short his Wallabies campaign in New Zealand.

Last year, Palu wasted too much time trying to predict how much mileage he’d get out of his temperamental hamstrings before each week and has learnt to be more low key about describing his latest in a long line of comebacks.

The 29-year-old said the only major difference in this recovery compared to the last is he’s had more time to rest and get things right.

He’s clearly not getting his hopes up too much, but Palu insists confidence won’t be an issue as he runs out for the Waratahs’ final warm-up ahead of the Super Rugby season start against Queensland on February 25.

“That’s (confidence) always been there,” Palu said.

“I’d just be happy to play one (minute) I think.

“I’m kind of sick of the old ‘how are your hammies feeling?’ and stuff like that.

“I say the same thing every time so … that’s probably the reason why I keep getting injured because I keep talking about it.

“It’s disappointing the last couple of years hasn’t been the best but … what can you do, that’s in the past now and I’m just going to try and look forward now.

“I’ve had a good long time to get myself right and everything feels pretty good at the moment … but I’ll tell you after the game on Friday.”