It’s Friday. The sun is shining, Sydney’s CBD is filled with busy people with things to do, meetings to attend and deadlines to meet before the weekend.
I’m one of them, but my mind has drifted from the spreadsheet in front of me and the report I’m meant to be finishing, because this Friday is a little bit different.
It is 220 days since my last game of Super Rugby. Tonight marks the start of the first Super Rugby campaign that I haven’t been involved in almost eight years.
For professional rugby players in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the culmination of months of hard work through the gruelling summer heat.
The first game of the season is always an exciting time of year, training intensity lifts another gear during the week, the pressure builds and the time for less talk and more action has arrived.
There will be a range of emotions being felt among players this week. For some, it’s sheer relief that another pre-season is over. For others, pure excitement that it’s finally time to get back on the big stage again.
Whether you have just been selected for your first or 80th Super Rugby game, it is a massive achievement and honour to play the game at that level.
Those involved should never forget how lucky they are, how much hard work and discipline got them to this point because no doubt family, friends and teammates haven’t.
Spare a thought for those squad players that weren’t selected. It in no way diminishes the effort put in over pre-season.
From the bloke who was a starter last year that is now on the bench to the 20-year-old that has just been told he is not going on tour, keeping the whole squad engaged, focused and committed is critical to a successful campaign.
The well-managed teams with a strong culture will be on top of this. They tend to be the teams in the mix come the business end of the season.
It is critical that Australian rugby has a successful year on the field this year. Making a competitive start to Super Rugby is vital to changing perceptions about the health of the code in this country.
As a player not even a year out of the professional game, I’m not prepared to completely put my neck on the line with any bold predictions. But it will be fascinating to see how some of the following themes play out.
I’ll enjoy getting answers to these questions over the coming months from the comfort of the grandstand or the living room. But for now, I better get back to that spreadsheet.
Ashley
Guest
Great article Davey!!!
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
The rebel alliance was way too strong for the Thorn troopers last night. Well done rebels.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Nice! ... And welcome also Dave!
Dave McDuling
Expert
Thanks Huw. Beau is doing some great things with his podcast I’m a regular listener, glad the topic is getting more and more coverage in the mainstream media too.
Dave McDuling
Expert
Thanks Akari. Might still be a few good years left in these legs but paying the bills a different way at the moment. Look forward to offering some different perspectives as the season progresses
Dave McDuling
Expert
Time will tell Plug. If the Tahs pack can do their job they have some talent to be unleashed in the back line
Max
Guest
Kurtley is the last of the "Brat pack" once he is disposed of, Australian rugby will flourish!
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Melbourne Rebels powered by the Force!
qwas
Guest
Better to be rated highly by your own teams fans than anyone else. They are the ones that see the most of you. Plus, you say deadly in 2010 and very good in 2015 & 2017. You can add 2014 when he won the waratahs the comp and 2016-17 when he got Wasps to the final. So that's 2014-2017, safe to say he's just very good then.
Harry Jones
Expert
Cheers, Dave. Welcome to the Roar! We need more MBA-players in the game.
Realist
Guest
Kurtley, Deadly to a coach (Whatsapp), deadly in the pub, deadly at Hungry Jacks at 4am, deadly to his captain (Gareth Delve) Not very deadly under the high ball, nor beating a man one-on-one (since 2010) or when trying to make a tackle Though deadly in 2010 and very good in 2015 & 2017 - in general he is massively overrated by Tah fans
Brett McKay
Expert
Great stuff Dave, always good to hear from those who've been there and done that.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Nice one Dave. Would be good to hear more about the transition into retirement for a professional footballer across the season. Beau Robinson (Qld super rugby title winner) has a great pod talking with players about this and similar issues.
jameswm
Guest
Great stuff - we're all excited too. Got to leave work to be home by 7.30 for the first local Super game of the season. Got to fight for rights a bit with the Winter Olympics on.
Cole
Guest
Thanks Dave. Not sure if this is your first article? But welcome to the Roar all the same. Look forward to more commentary from you throughout the season.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Nice one and thank you, Dave. You are one of those hard working players that rarely get the accolades when teams win as it's hard to be seen or heard when all the attention of commentators and the media is nearly always focused on the Hoopers, Bealseys and Folaus in our game. It's good to see that you have transitioned and seemingly successfully (even if reluctantly as father time so demands) into a new career. Thank you for joining Roar and I look forward to your observations in the coming rugby season and beyond.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Nice article, Dave. Good to see a new writer coming along. "Will Brad Thorn’s bold selection calls and school of hard knocks methods pay off at the Reds?" Not long to wait for the start of that answer....just changed my pick to Rebels win....be happy to be wrong, as a Queenslander !
Aaron Callaghan
Roar Rookie
Same. Welcome Dave!
Jerome
Guest
Some might say that you are too deadly mr plug
Knightcrawler
Guest
Go back to russia