Wallaby Conditioning

[Spook]

It was obvious the Wallabies were not fit enough in the trinations but is there enough time to get them ready for Europe? :nta:

 

[RugbyReg]

How long does it take? They'd have to have a fairly decent level of fitness through the last campaign. The next 4 or so weeks should just be a little ramp up.

I think the likes of Kepu, Quade and O'Connor are in for the shock of their lives!

 

[fatprop]

Deans said this was his first chance to get some proper blocks of training with no game at the end of a week.

The backs need a lot of work

 

[Scotty]

They all need a lot of work - but it is exciting to think that we were 4 points away from the 3N despite having a dodgey defence, and a backline that was struggling to click. Hopefully it can begin to come together this tour - but I won't be expecting miracles, it will be a slow process where we can only hope we keep putting one foot in front of another.

 

[fatprop]

It is worth remembering that the All Blacks ain't the greatest at the moment as well.

 

[Scotty]

True, but on paper both the Boks and the ABs have better sides. I mean, how many Wallabies would get into a combined side? 3 or 4 max?

 

[Gagger]

I agree the Wallabies were way off the pace in the 3Ns - maybe there was something to be said for the 3 week camps at Coffs?

However, as they're not playing the sanction ELVs they could probably piss it up from here on in and be OK....

 

[Scotty]

I don't think they've been anywhere near the fitest side in test rugby since one of my old school teachers, Steve Nance quit as their trainer. That was in the Macqueen days of camps on the sunshine coast.

 

[cyclopath]

You're dead right Scotty. Some bright ideas - ditch the good conditioning men, and the defensive brains, probably the 2 biggest things the Wallabies have had going for them over the last decade (yes, I know, a little bit hyperbolic).

 

[Scotty]

I can semi-understand Deans wanting to be in charge of the defense, as that is what he is used to, but why we have been down on fitness from some of the other top nations for the last 5 or so years is beyond me.

 

[Scotty]

Sorry, I should say, why we have been allowed to be down on fitness is beyond me!

 

[naza]

We have no information on what kind of fitness work the guys do so its hard to extrapolate where we're going wrong.

I hark back to when Eddie Jones had Queensland and was stunned by how ill equipped they were for the demands of 21st century rugby. I imagine the Wallaby problems, while not as dramatic, come down to the same problem - neglecting the contact areas. Fine to work on your gym stuff and cardio. But you have to try and replicate tackling, rucking, cleaning out etc. Whenever I see the Wallabies training on TV, everything looks very relaxed and they seem to always be playing touch footy. Does anyone honestly think these guys practice counter rucking ? Deadset, they probably train indoors when it rains.

 

[fatprop]

He certainly seems to be flogging them

Wallabies suffer new injury scare

By Iain Payten
October 10, 2008

DREW Mitchell sent another injury scare through the Australia camp as Robbie Deans' exhausted charges continued their gruelling pre-tour training in Sydney.
A painful blow to the neck during a defensive drill saw Mitchell escorted from the field for medical treatment. Thankfully the problem was not deemed serious and the winger rejoined training later in the session.

But the incident provided more concern for Deans on a day when rookie ACT lock Peter Kimlin was named as the latest addition to an injury-hit European tour party.


With James Horwill (foot) already ruled out, Rocky Elsom and Dan Vickerman departed and Lote Tuqiri (knee) and Wycliff Palu (knee) under injury clouds, Mitchell's scare highlighted the fact Australia can ill-afford any more casualties.

"I'm fine, it was just a stinger," Mitchell said post-training. " I just put my head in the wrong position and jarred it, but the pain died off after a few minutes."

And there was no shortage of sore and tired Wallaby bodies elsewhere as the third of four torturous camps wrapped up.

The Wallabies have slogged through sprints, beach fitness, hill repeats and bruising contact work.

As well as on-field drills, players have donned boxing gloves and bashed each other in no-holds-barred sparring battles. The twice-daily sessions have left players so exhausted many admit privately they've taken the whole weekend to recover.

"It's certainly good to see the Thursday afternoon come around," Mitchell said.

"They're four pretty intense days. But its good to know you have that base behind you ... to know you've done the work going into the tour."

Hooker Adam Freier says he's keen to get out of the boxing group when his hamstring strain heals.

"It is tough, without a doubt. Friday can't come quick enough. I'm sick of getting matched up with Matty Dunning (in boxing)," Freier said.

But the more the Wallabies wilt, the better Deans likes it. It's in this fatigued state Australia's option-taking and skill levels have dropped away and the camps are designed to remap players' instincts.

"It's the first opportunity we've had to address some of the habits: work habits, skills habits, work rate habits. That's valuable," Deans said.

Deans said 114kg Brumbies lock Kimlin, 23, had been impressive with his ball-running, attitude and work rate for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup.

 

[whocares]

Give them a palm beach hills session that'll sort them out.

 

[cyclopath]

I might be wrong (I find myself saying this more and more these days) but do the Wallabies seem to be the most advanced team at self-nobbling? Or do we just not hear about all the other teams self-inflicted uppercuts? :nta:

 

[Scarfman]

"It's the first opportunity we've had to address some of the habits: work habits, skills habits, work rate habits. That's valuable," Deans said.

Love it. I'm still a bit confused by some of his selections, but it's great to have a coach who says sensible and straightforward things every time he opens his mouth. It's a change, that's for sure.

 

[cyclopath]

Very true, Scarfy. But it'll piss everyone else off if they don't have something to whine about as with Eddie, Knuckles etc...
It is interesting he uses the term "habits". Hard things to break in some. I'm not sure you can have skills habits - is that a habit of being skilled vs the habit of being a complete ten-thumbed numpty?

 

[whocares]

Very true, Scarfy. But it'll piss everyone else off if they don't have something to whine about as with Eddie, Knuckles etc...
It is interesting he uses the term "habits". Hard things to break in some. I'm not sure you can have skills habits - is that a habit of being skilled vs the habit of being a complete ten-thumbed numpty?

I think its more along the lines of scrummaging skills and ruck skills where alot of the time we are doing the completly wrong thing

 

[cyclopath]

Very true, Scarfy. But it'll piss everyone else off if they don't have something to whine about as with Eddie, Knuckles etc...
It is interesting he uses the term "habits". Hard things to break in some. I'm not sure you can have skills habits - is that a habit of being skilled vs the habit of being a complete ten-thumbed numpty?

I think its more along the lines of scrummaging skills and ruck skills where alot of the time we are doing the completly wrong thing

Yeah, I guessed that, was being a little facetious.
BTW who is mainly doing the scrum work? Is it Foley still?

 

[RugbyReg]

Cyclo, if you're asking are we too soft? Then the answer is definitely yes. I don't think our S14 coaches get the Wallaby players long enough to get their fitness and toughness up to speed. Then it flows over to the wallabies.