Secret weapon...Ben Ross's massage therapist Phil Rule and Lara Bingle. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Self-styled "masseuse of the stars" Phil Rule is the secret weapon behind the courageous comeback of the 115kg Rabbitohs recruit.

The expert massage therapist - with magic hands that ease the stresses of some of Hollywood's hottest female stars - has played a key role in rebuilding Ross's broken neck ahead of his expected return in South Sydney's NRL season opener next weekend.

Ross's likely return against the Roosters comes 12 months after a tackle in round one in 2009 saw the 29-year-old then Shark come within millimetres of being wheelchair-bound for life.

"Benny is ready to rip, he's very, very enthusiastic, he's been out for 12 months and I've never seen him so fit or hungry," Rule said. "He's training the house down. He wants to play Origin again, he really wants to get back there, and I'll be very surprised if he doesn't.

"He's put on five or six kilos and he's stronger and fitter than when I worked on him in Queensland's Origin camp in 2005."

The bond between Rule and Ross extends far beyond the massage therapist table and their time together in Camp Maroon when Ross last played Origin five years ago.

Rule worked in the Blackwater coal mines when Ross's father ran the local newsagency and has followed the star prop's career right from junior footy.

For Rule, who has previously aided the recovery of ex-Test skipper Gorden Tallis and former Bronco Barry Berrigan from other serious neck injuries, his deep connection with Ross makes this rehabilitation extra special.

"We're working on a lot of mobilisation, deep-tissue and soft-tissue therapy," he said.

"With this operation, there's a lot of scar tissue we need to break down and we need to keep it nice and mobile and flexible.

"Ben plays in the front row and he's taking some force in tackles so we need his neck to be as flexible as it can. He's recovered really, really well. Ben's the ultimate professional, he takes his rehab very seriously."