Training with the Hurricanes

Today started as most of my days...in the weightroom!!  The players have seen me the past couple days and they've introduced themselves and talked to me, a couple of them were with the Crusaders and remember me from my visit for training camp in 2006. I was officially introduced and welcomed and allowed to sit in on team meetings.  We headed to the rugby pitch and the training session started off with one my favorite parts of a rugby match...the scrum!!  I watched from the best advantage points I could, took video and pictures so I can study the body positions, strength/power requirements and very importantly the physical breakdown of the scrum so I can best design training programs for this important part of a rugby match. Was even more fun when I was put on the scrum machine as the boys worked hard.  Being right over the front row looking down from my advantage point was an education for sure!! During lunch Ben and I talked about other the roles that the prop plays during rugby games but also the common injuries that happen as well. It's important to understand the common injuries associated with not only the sport but the different positions.  I have some great ideas rattling around in my head for sure!!! 


Hurricanes working on the scrum. I am fascinated by the biomechanics here.