Benton boosts Brumbies' fitness levels
BY LEE GASKIN, RUGBY UNION
21 Dec, 2011 04:00 AM
Perhaps the most important cog of the ACT Brumbies won't be on the field.
It may not even be World Cup winning coach Jake White, nor his assistant, Wallabies great Stephen Larkham.
What Dean Benton does is largely unseen.
But having whipped the Brisbane Broncos, the Wallabies and Olympic swimming gold medallist Stephanie Rice into shape, the Super Rugby club's athletic performance director is playing a major role in ensuring the Brumbies hit the ground running next year.
For the past two months Benton's gruelling fitness regimens have challenged existing players, as well as the large majority embarking on their first tilt at the toughest provincial rugby competition in the world.
Second-rower Sam Carter, who has one Super Rugby cap under his belt, is eager to make a strong impression on the seasoned conditioner.
The 22-year-old has been a standout on the track, but admitted it has been a rough initiation to get used to Benton's methods.
''When I came in I was a bit sluggish, a bit slow, and had a bit of weight on me,'' Carter said.
''Pre-Christmas I've become a lot more athletic and I think a lot faster.''
The Brumbies completed their final training of 2011 yesterday before going their separate ways for the Christmas break.
Carter has gained about 5kg since the start of pre-season training, with the bulk consisting of lean muscle mass.
One of Benton's main aims is to increase aerobic capacity throughout the squad, a vital need with the Super Rugby season being expanded until August.
''Dean's got a big focus on getting really athletic, really slim players, so he's been fantastic for me and with most of the other people in the squad,'' Carter said.
''He's got a big emphasis on speed and power, so I'm finding him very useful.''
Even the simple things have been broken down, analysed and improved under Benton's guidance.
Outside-back Robbie Coleman, a former nominee for the IRB's world under-20 player of the year gong, revealed how the basic act of putting one foot in front of the other could be changed to get the most out of his performance.
''I didn't think there were so many ways to have running technique, but he's shown me how I was doing it all wrong and he's fixed all that up for me,'' Coleman said.
''It's a lot easier running.
''Dean's brought a lot of professionalism just through his experience and he's been really important to the pre-season.''
Producing a team of pure athletes isn't going to cut it against the monster packs of South Africa and New Zealand.
That's where Aled Walters comes in.
A strength and conditioning coach in Taranaki for the past two years, the Welshman's edict is to have the Brumbies ready to go toe to toe physically with Super Rugby's meanest packs.
''Aled's been incredibly important and outstanding with all his strength stuff,'' prop Dan Palmer said. ''He brings a lot of knowledge, he's spent some time in the UK, spent some time in New Zealand and he's been very good for us.''
The Brumbies return to training on January 3.
Brumbies players enjoying the wild-life during last year’s trip to Darwin.
