Robbie Deans emphasises fitness on the eve of Super 14 season

[travelling_gerry]

Robbie Deans emphasises fitness on the eve of Super 14 season

By Iain Payten
February 04, 2009 ON the eve of a new season, the most successful coach in Super 14 history didn't want his players leg-fresh and ready to explode.

If anything, Robbie Deans wanted them slightly knackered.
After an intensive pre-season conditioning program right up to round one, the former Crusaders mentor demanded one box was ticked above all others before Super 14 begins.
"That you've built your engine," Deans said. "That you have done all your conditioning work, so you have yourself in the sort of shape that allows you to play the way you want to play."
A five-time Super rugby title winner, Deans opened his box of secrets as the new Super 14 season was launched in Sydney.
The Australia coach delivered a positive appraisal of all four Wallabies teams' chances in 2009 after getting good feedback on an area previously regarded as their collective achilles heel: fitness.
In recent years, Australian sides have been seen by rivals - particularly the Crusaders - as lacking in conditioning. Not this year, it seems.
"They have been working hard. Those are the noises coming back. They have done the work and are in better shape then previously, that's a valuable asset to have. You need that to go the distance," he said.
Though bookies don't think an Australian side are a hope of winning the Super 14, Deans disagrees.
Deans delivered his verdict on the four Aussie teams:

* ON the besieged Force, where John Mitchell faced an internal no-confidence movement over summer, he said: "Believe it or not, out of adversity comes strength. I think that's what you will see. You'll see a group that will galvanise and take nothing for granted. I think they will push on."

* ON the Reds: "The Reds are a very young team, but they are a very able team if they structure their game to what suits them."

* THE Brumbies "would have taken a lot of fillip out of tipping over the Hurricanes (in a trial)."

* AND on 2008 finalists, NSW: "They would have learned a lot from their recent experience."

Round one of the Super 14 kicks off next week.



http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[Tazzmania]

Not a bad rap from Robbie for the Force, hope is right and that we kick on right into the finals

[Happy]

what does Robbie do during the S14 season? Just fly around and watch rugby ?

[Burgs]

Along with the odd game of squash or golf

Force certainly sound as if they have the pre-season fitness sorted anyway.

[AndyS]

I thought the Reds stuck their hand up for some assistance from him...