Michael Cheika’s punishing training schedule already seems to be producing the response he was hoping for from the players in his extended Wallabies squad.
They had their first full day together in Newcastle on Monday, after players spent three days last week in state-based camps.
Coach Cheika has made no secret that conditioning is a key plank of his preparation for the anticipated high intensity back-to-back Bledisloe Cup matches, which mark Australia’s start to their Rugby Championship campaign next month.
The players left their hotel around 9am on Monday and finally ended up back there around 11 hours later.
In the intervening hours they were put through a number of sessions, which included fitness and weights workouts and occasional food and rest breaks,
“There was a a few hard days (last week) and I’d say today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) are going to keep getting harder,” Wallabies’ lock Kane Douglas told AAP.
“But it’s good, it gets all the boys revved up and egging each other on to keep going harder.
“It’s good to go through those hard times together. That binds you together as a group.
“There was a fair bit of learning today with a few things, but it has probably been a long day, but none of the boys are really whingeing about it.”
That response would delight Cheika.
“I suppose, first you get angry then they get a bit rattled and they go through all those things, same as when we all played,” Cheika said.
“You go ‘what are we doing this for?’ And then you get used to it and you start to like it, because you know that it’s an important part of your preparation.
“If you want to be ready to play at the best level, that’s what you’ve got to do.
“You get a lot of respect for each other when you train hard and work hard with each other.
“You can see already the three or four days together in the different places (last week) and now together here, the way they work together, you start to feel the connections.
“In the tough matches, that’s what’s going to get you by, it’s the connection and the bond you’ve got as a team.”
Arnie453
Guest
Is it really lack of conditioning? Or is it the game plan? Anyone who has even played a social game of Touch footy can tell you that it is much easier to attack and defend when you aren't on your own goal line. Yet this is where the Wallabies and most Australian sides choose to live their lives by constantly holding the ball in positions ripe for ambush. A lot of people on this site have made military analogies recently. I will make another one. Chieka is making a strategy for the military he wants, not the one he actually possesses. This is tremendously foolish and plays into the hands of the enemy. We must play to our strengths as they stand right now. If fitness is an issue. Slow the game down, play it at the other end and practice for that game plan. Stop trying to be something you're not. It'll get us killed.
Jock Cornet
Guest
The super results have shown that the players aren't fit as they are getting smashed in the last 20 minutes. Give Cheika some slack he is addressing this and I'm sure he is improving their skills as well. Cheika knows the enormity of the task. He is doing his best.
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Hey great, the Wallabies are training! I wonder if the other rugby nations have thought of this game-changing revelation.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Cheika's getting his ideas from Karate Kid 'wax on, wax off, Daniel son' repetition of moves pays off for Daniel later on the real stage. The movie is giving Cheika hope! Good luck Cheika. Blind faith, miming acts...Rugby meets the circus performers ;)
puff
Guest
I’m no expert but I have heard Cheika reiterate the entire list of so called superlatives before. All the franchisers have fitness and health specialists who monitor and work with each athlete. After six months of relentless rugby if a player is not at the desired fitness level perhaps he is not Wallaby material. If Cheika believes he can win back the Bledisloe, perhaps he should start addressing his own short comings. Arrogant belligerent coaches who have favourates and make poor player selections normally struggle on big occasions. Coaches who assume Australia should have a particular playing style will always grapple with changing weather conditions or teams with certain qualities the Wallabies are missing. A plan B to D and the ability to structure the game plan accordingly is a must in the modern game. With Cheika’s bang or bust personality how much input will Larkham and Grey have. Do the Wallabies have the best defense, attack and set play specialists in Australia? If we are serious about being serious the training list is not a good indecision or perhaps I’m missing something.
wag
Guest
Agree, Old Bugger !
Drongo
Guest
What this thread shows is that whatever Cheika says or does, he is on a hiding to nothing. 'Hard training is a waste of time' then 'the ABs always train harder'... etc, etc. So many self appointed experts showing their lack of knowlede on here. Eg, hard work three weeks out is actually perfect with the huge base of fitness these guys are taking into the camp. They will move to a more skill and tactics based approach over the next week. The only thing that will shut the knockers up is a Wallaby win, but even if that happens there will no doubt be a million excuses, as we saw from the Lions series. Let's be honest, the numbers don't lie, rugby has turned into such a bore. It takes a once in twelve year event to create any real excitement and interest. The SR now has no interest for most SA and Australian fans, like most of the season really. The Bled is just a death riding and head kicking festival. When does the EPL start?
AndyS
Guest
Is that surprising? Their teams aren't treated equally, their states aren't treated equally, so why would it suddenly be all peers pulling together equally towards a common goal? It didn't used to work that way in NZ either - it used to be all about two teams, providing most of the players to the All Blacks. Didn't stop them being successful even then, but not as much as they are now...
Gregory
Guest
The national coach and super rugby coaches are not working together as they do in nz. Elite players are monitored and if fitness levels are not up to scratch you are send back to a club competition to up your fitness. SA are also currently employing this cooperation between national and super rugby. Its starting to bear fruit with fitness levels of players in super rugby
Gregory
Guest
Strength and conditioning are done in the off season. To put these guys through this gruelling sessions is make them a flat balloon come rugby champion ship. These guys were supposed to have strategy and skill practise and do the final practice a week before game. Cheika only want to achieve top fitness levels with these guys but skill and strategy are neglected. Your body can just take that much before collapsing in a heap come kickoff time.
In brief
Guest
Cheika's a legend - full support from me let's build belief
RahRah
Guest
Maybe that's why they don't chase - it doesn't go far enough.
In brief
Guest
And this is why Cheika's such a great coach. The skills of the Australian players are fine. What they lack is heart and belief. This preparation is just what the wallabies need at this point in time.
Peter
Guest
Another mighty warrior beating his keys with one hand and beating time, or something, with the other. Cooper was NOT SELECTED for the Wannabees squad. How about you give us a list of every single Australian SR player not selected for the squad, and give us an update, including sly innuendo, on what they are ALL doing. No? Thought not. Some of Pinocchio's bad habits must have rubbed back onto you.
Republican
Guest
......it wil not make an iota of difference to the ground hog day result in favour of NZ. Will any Ozzie actually tune into the BC? I haven't for yonks..........
Ed
Guest
Another way to apply pressure on our opposition but we give them a free pass and easy metres.
Cpt crow eater
Guest
Jake The Muss!!
MitchO
Guest
Yeah and it should be easy coz we kick so short most of the time.
piru
Roar Rookie
Kick chasing is one of the most frustrating things the Wallabies don't do It's fixable in one sentence - chase the kicks
Gepetto
Guest
The fat clown has probably never been fit himself. Quade is apparently lounging pool-side in Bali.