Brumbies fired up to start Super 14 on winning note

 
Ben Hand Roar Rookie

By , 12 Feb 2010 Ben Hand is a Roar Rookie

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Ahead of our first match of the 2010 Super 14 season against the Western Force in Perth, there is a real sense of excitement building amongst the group as we embark on our three month journey.

After a shorter pre-season then previous years, which included a three day bike ride from Canberra to Mt Kosciusko and a training camp at the picturesque Jervis Bay, the group is coming together and forming a strong bond as we start the season.

Pre-season was also different to previous years due to a change in personnel, with Rod Lindsell taking charge of strength and conditioning and being assisted by former St George Illawarra trainer, Marcus Cain, with a focus being on developing our speed and power.

Teams which boast these characteristics have undoubtedly set the pace in this competition over the past few years, with both of last year’s finalists, the Chiefs and the Bulls, possessing these traits.

We have also been able to make use of technology in our training regime as players are monitored with GPS satellite equipment which allows staff to monitor player’s heart rates, distances covered, and times spent at maximal speed.

As you can imagine, as a lock, I don’t spend too much time in the maximal speed range. However, I do cover large distances, with some of our tougher sessions covering 9km.

This data has been invaluable to coaching staff in monitoring training loads and therefore aiming to minimise injuries due to athletes being overloaded. It also means that there is no place to hide as the training staff now have insight into how hard you are working – much to the disappointment of some of the frontrowers.

This season there is a real buzz down in Canberra, with many expectations on the playing group due to some noteworthy signings over the past year.

Matt Giteau returning to Canberra has been met with great excitement, not only by Brumbies supporters, but also by members of the playing group, as it is not everyday you get to play alongside one of the great players in our game. He will bring game control and experience to some of our brilliant emerging inside backs, such as Matt Toomua and Christian Lealifano.

Current Australian captain, Rocky Elsom, will add another dimension to our forward pack, with his physicality and ball carrying ability sure to test opposition defensive lines.

The return of Justin Harrison has had enormous impact upon the group, not only raising the average age of the side by a large degree, but from my perspective, to be able to learn from one of the best line-out technicians ever seen in the professional era.

We as a playing group, like most of the public, we’re taken by surprise by George Smith’s retirement from Australian rugby at the conclusion of this year’s Super 14 season.

He will go down as one of the greats of Australian rugby and in many ways redefined the role of the modern day open side flanker.

It would be a fitting farewell for a man who has given so much to the Brumbies if we can send him out with a Super 14 champion’s medal around his neck in late May.

We are under no illusions as to how tough this task will be. However, we are not burdened by expectations of the public, as the greatest expectation is placed upon us by ourselves.

We start with three very hard matches all away from Canberra Stadium, with our match against the Force followed by a two week tour of South Africa, facing arguably their two toughest sides in the Bulls in Pretoria and the Stormers in Cape Town.

It’s going to be one of the most even Super 14 campaigns in years and we can’t wait to get started tonight against the Force.

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