Eddy Pettybourne was born facing adversity but even he admits an injury-plagued National Rugby League season has tested his patience.

One of only four South Sydney players to feature in each of the Rabbitohs 24 games last season, the Christchurch-born 22-year-old's fourth season in first grade easily rates as his most frustrating.

Twelve months ago the second rower was in the sort of form that eventually saw him summoned to France as injury cover for the Kiwis' Four Nations last November.

But any thoughts of a first cap in May's Anzac test in Melbourne were revised just eight minutes into season 2010.

Pettybourne broke his jaw in a collision with Sydney Roosters prop Lopini Paea, though he bravely kept his mouth shut and logged another 50 minutes before heading to hospital for scans, and ultimately surgery.

Sidelined for six weeks, Pettybourne returned to the fray on Anzac Day in a comeback that included the round 11 visit to Auckland in late May.

"I did my back in that game," he reflected, ahead of Sunday's return match with Warriors here at ANZ Stadium.

Back spasms limited Pettybourne to 36 minutes at Mt Smart Stadium although he was able to back up the following week against Penrith before copping another blow to the jaw against North Queensland.

"I've been in the wars this year for sure, it's been disruptive held me back a bit but hopefully I can turn it around and play some good footy."

Pettybourne missed another four games while his jaw healed a second time but now, hopefully, he can play a full part in a pack showing worrying signs of wear and tear.

Diagnosed with chronic asthma shortly after he was born, Pettybourne spent most of his first two years in hospital before his parents were told to trade Christchurch and its smoggy winters for clearer climes.

Wellington was the first unsuccessful stop before the family relocated to Sydney.

Pettybourne was oblivious to his ordeal as a toddler, but his Mum Sepa remembers it vividly.

"There were a lot of times I thought I was going to lose him," she said.

"He couldn't breathe. He had to use the machine all the time. Every time he was sick, I would panic. I was always thinking, 'if I lose him, I'll never forgive myself'."

Sydney's warmer weather soon brightened Pettybourne's future. He started playing league as a four-year-old and has never looked back - or outside Rabbitohs territory.

"I've always dreamt of playing for Souths," he said.

"I love the club. It's awesome being a part of it."

The ninth-placed Rabbitohs lost starting prop Luke Stuart to a season-ending hand injury last weekend while dynamic Kiwis hooker Issac Luke is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

Pettybourne has been named on the interchange bench and will switch between the second row and prop, where English international Sam Burgess slots in for Stuart.

Although one of the smaller members of South's much-vaunted pack at 1.82-metres and 103kg, Pettybourne has still made a successful transition from roaming on the fringes to a forward's less glamorous chores.

"Last year I was on the edge, now I'm mixing around in the middle this year. It's good, anywhere in the 17 is good."

Pettybourne makes only his 10th appearance of the year against the in-form Warriors, though given his medical history any amount of game time for his beloved Souths is a moment to cherish.