Tahs muscleman in shape
* Jon Geddes
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* December 20, 2010 12:00AM
Cliffy Palu
Raw power ... Cliffy Palu during the Waratahs' strongman competition. Source: The Daily Telegraph
BLOCKBUSTING back-rower Cliffy Palu has sent out a powerful message he is ready to rock 'n' roll opposition players again next season by outmuscling his teammates to win the Waratahs' annual strongman competition.
The victory was a positive sign for both the Waratahs and Wallabies after Palu had been sidelined for eight months with a serious knee injury suffered playing against the Crusaders on April 10.
"I've done a fair bit of upper body work since the injury and the knee is coming along well," Palu said.
The powerhouse No. 8 finished ahead of new Waratahs lock Pat O'Connor and promising Manly five-eighth Ben Seymour with Ryan Cross and Tatafu Polota-Nau tied in fourth place.
The fierce competition included chin-ups, bodyweight bench-presses and working on a grinding machine, similar to those used on big yachts.
Skipper Phil Waugh smashed the record for the iron cross, which involves holding two 7.5kg dumbbells straight out to the side of the body for as long as possible.
The Waratahs warhorse held on for an excruciating 95sec, seven seconds better than the previous best.
The strongman title was also a confidence boost for Palu, who will be a key man for both NSW in Super Rugby and the Wallabies' assault on next year's World Cup.
"There have been a lot of ups and downs. After a week or two out you just want to get out there. It's a good feeling to be back training with the boys," he said.
Palu said he was now only 2kg above his normal playing weight of 117kg.
And while the Waratahs now have a two-week break, he will keep training and intends going easy on the Christmas lunch.
"Hopefully in this next two weeks I'll drop another 2kg," he said.