Brad Thorn's gym training and physical philosophy.

[Antony]

I've wondered Bruce, how does that tailored Uni training-style impact on recruitment? Presumably, with such an emphasis on bulk in the forwards, it greatly reduces the field of players from which to select.

For instance, I note that the old West Harbour 7, who was a good first grader, has moved across to Uni and is playing 2nds and 3rds.

Does that have anything to do with him not being equipped with the same heavy weight training? And is it something that you think can be rectified in slightly older players, or do they have to be brought into the system young?

 

[Bruce Ross]

I don't know the particular player to whom you are referring, Antony, so I can't comment on him. The training system I have been describing does not necessarily encompass every player in the club although almost all are influenced by it. In the last off-season there were over 100 players, Grade and Colts, involved in either the EDS (Elite Development Squad) or Wider Training Group.

I don't think there is a particular emphasis on "bulk" when recruiting players; often their body weight increases significantly as a result of the training in the gym. For some of course there is a need to reduce bulk and they might do a lot of work on ergs, etc., to shed body fat. The S & Cs keep a close eye on skin fold measurements. Also heavy weight training and the consequent bulk is not restricted to the forwards; backs also train heavy and are expected to shoulder their share of the grunt work at the breakdown.

I see no reason why older players can't adapt to this type of training and there are plenty of instances of players who have done so. Having said that, one thing that I noticed when the EDS program was introduced was that quite a few older players were not attempting to push themselves in terms of weight on the bar. They seemed to have the view that if you came into the gym and worked up a sweat that was a good training session. Effective weight training is all about progressive resistance and athletes need to continually challenge themselves. Players now have a better appreciation of this.
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[The_Brown_Hornet]

So Bruce, the emphasis is on lean muscle mass? I can imagine that adding bulk hits the diminishing marginal returns point past a certain stage, when players become a lot less mobile around the paddock. Rugby is still fundamentally a running game and I would guess that the S&C coaches would be ensuring that these guys don't become all muscle and no mobility?

 

[Bruce Ross]

You are quite right, TBH. The S & Cs have a lot of relevant metrics on players such as skin folds, vertical jump, 10 and 40m sprint time, beep test or yo-yos. In addition players are weighed before and after games which apparently yields useful information as to appropriate training loads. There is a big focus on mobility.
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[The_Brown_Hornet]

Thanks for that Bruce.

As an aside, this has been on the whole a tremendously informative and interesting thread. I just wish all this great information and sharing thereof had been as readily available when I played. We only had USENET as a semi-forum back in ye olde days unfortunately.