SOUTH African-born Wallaby Clyde Rathbone made a long-awaited return to rugby yesterday after 15 months on the sideline recovering from an injury and surgery to his left knee.

Rathbone played his first match for Eastern Suburbs, who were well beaten by Gordon, 36-12 at Chatswood Oval. Gordon scored six tries to two in an entertaining match.

The 26-year-old played the whole of the second half on the wing and was relatively pleased with his performance. He moved freely and covered a lot of ground in heavy conditions.

"It was an interesting day for a first hit-out," Rathbone said. "We were playing in a bog. It was good to get that first run under my belt and now I can tick that off. I've been confident that the knee would be OK. I've been training on it and there hasn't been a problem. Hopefully I'll be able to play a full game on it in a couple of weeks.

"It's always frustrating to have a long-term injury so it's good to start that road to playing full-time again."

Rathbone, who has 26 Test caps for Australia, played down his chances of an immediate Wallabies recall.

"I'm just trying to take it week by week," he said. "I know it's an old cliche but it really is what you have to do.

"Hopefully I can build some form and what happens from there happens."

Rathbone wasn't the only star on show for Easts, with former league player Ryan Cross putting in a solid display in difficult conditions in his first game for the club.

Second-placed Gordon completely outplayed Eastern Suburbs in a dominant display which highlighted their premiership credentials.

DANIEL RAMUS