Starting line-up or bench, halfback David Gibson is just happy to be playing Super 14 rugby again following a career-threatening injury.

After wearing the Blues' No 9 jersey for the opening three weeks of the campaign, he has been given a breather and will begin on the bench against the Queensland Reds in Auckland on Saturday night.

It was two years ago that Gibson's rugby future went into limbo.

Making a tackle during a routine drill at the Blues' training ground, he ended up with a neck injury that needed surgery.

The first operation was unsuccessful and a second one was needed, and Gibson admitted there were times he thought he might not get back on the field again.

"The first time was six months' recovery and I got my head around that," he said.

"When things didn't go the right way, it was another frustrating 10 weeks in a neck brace and starting from scratch again, so that was tough."

During his rehabilitation, the former Highlander continued with his business studies at university and did some marketing work for the Auckland Rugby Union.

He returned to full fitness in time for last year's Air New Zealand Cup and was lent by Auckland to Northland.

"That was awesome, it was a lifeline for me," he said.

"I didn't know where I was, having been out for so long. They said, `Come up, we're not going to promise anything, but just do what you do' and things sort of worked out from there."

Since coming back into the Blues, Taranaki-born Gibson, 27, has acquitted himself well.

The team's wins over the Crusaders and the Brumbies have given him the chance to be matched up against test players in All Black Andrew Ellis and Wallaby skipper George Gregan.

It was early days and he was still building up to where he wanted to be in terms of form, he said, but he was pleased with his progress.

"It's been a long road but I'm happy to be where I am at the moment.

"It's just a process of making sure I stay on top of my injuries so I can continue to be part of this because I'm really enjoying it."

Gibson was comfortable with the call for him to be on the bench this weekend rather than in the run-on side again.

"I'll just do what I need to do and play that support role," he said.

"Hopefully, when I get the opportunity to get on, I can add a bit of impact and gee the boys up."

Coach David Nucifora said the move to replace Gibson in the starting 15 with Steve Devine was aimed as sharing the workload within the squad as the Super 14 entered its fourth week.