5. Player Workload Management
Using the Waratahs as an example, if they are to become back-to-back winners they will have to put in a mammoth effort of up to 13 consecutive games. They have already had their two byes and after last week’s loss to the Stormers, the benefits of the week off could be debated.
Their remaining fixtures start with a trip across to Wellington to take on the undefeated Hurricanes and also contains two trips across the Nullarbor with a one off match against the Force. Two weeks later they’re off to the Republic to face the resurgent Lions and then on to Bloemfontein for the Cheetahs – both could be tricky fixtures come the end of the year.
I wonder if Michael Cheika will have an eye on the Wallabies season towards the end of the Super Rugby season with regards to players workload. Both New Zealand and South Africa have player management plans in place for 2015 to give their players the best chance of being right for the World Cup with periods of rest.
The Australian teams don’t have such a plan and the only rest they seem to be getting is from being injured. Look at the Reds with their injury toll and the other teams have injured Wallabies players with names like Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani and Matt Hodgson with stints in team rehab and as Wallabies fans know all too well, it only needs an injury or two to derail a World Cup campaign.
