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Western Force outside back Cameron Shepherd has shed five kilograms in a tough pre-season as pressure builds for 2012 Super Rugby starting spots.
Shepherd will start the season at 99kg, his lowest ever Super rugby playing weight.
Coach Richard Graham has made it quite clear that reputations will not count for anything when he picks his side for the opening clash against the Brumbies in 10 days.
Shepherd, a Force foundation player and capped nine times by the Wallabies, said everyone in the squad was feeling the pressure of competition for the starting line-up.
He also hopes shedding the extra kilos will help him stay injury-free after years blighted by a horror run.
"We looked at things from a medical position and with my injury history playing at a lighter weight was the best thing for me," he said.
"I fought hard to get to the weight I'm at now. It was a combination of extra cardio, weights and a bit of a change of diet.
"It was tough but I feel I'm in the best condition I've been in.
"I'm not the only one. All the guys have been putting in a lot of hard work and are fitter than ever.
"There is pressure for places, I'm feeling it, we're all feeling it, but that can only make for a better side.
"It has been a really, really long pre-season, now I want to be able to put in consistent performances instead of dealing with injury rehab all the time.
"My number one aim this year is an injury-free season."
Shepherd turns 28 next month and is in his last year of contract with the Force but is not looking past the start of the season.
"Contract renewal is not on my mind," he said. "The pieces will fall as they do. I've got a good opportunity to play every game. There can be no excuses."
Graham said Shepherd was in good condition. "I felt he needed to have a tough pre-season. There are no shortcuts to playing your best football," he said.
"If Cameron is going to be a consistent performer in our team then he needs to work hard.
"As an international capped footballer, Cameron needs to lead through his performances.
"He is a very good communicator, has very good skills sets and kicks goals. He adds a lot to the side."
Shepherd's horror run of injuries stretches back to April 2007 when he damaged his left knee in the Super 14 round-11 clash against the Brumbies.
He was back for the Wallabies five months later, but the following July he broke his left fibula in eight places. He has had a string of injuries in subsequent years but is confident his bad luck is behind him.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...n-great-shape/
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
I really hope he can stay injury free this year.
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the kiss of death has probably been put on him with that article
Hope not. If he wants another gig here he's gotta stay injury free
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Best finisher we have in the team. If he stays injury-free, it may mean the difference between making the finals or not
Awesome player - one of the best finishers in oz. Go Sheps!
Please, please, please stay injury free.
coz Stone Cold says so
With Shep at starting 15 and naps at starting 11 we'd have an embarrassment of riches to play with in the backline, without Shep the cupboard is decidedly more bare. He needs to remain fit
C'mon the![]()
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One ofmy favourite player, Go Sheppie!
Btw, don't you think he looks like Gardfield in Perth Spirit jersey?![]()
I am also guessing (out loud) that he'll be the kicker for the team this year if on the paddock ?
Chatting to Stannard at the Force open day, mentioned that Sheps had only started practicing kicks last week, and in the match situation they will make the call as and when the kick is given. I suspect shorter ones for Chuckie in the early part of the season with Sheps starting with the longer ones and taking over as he gets into stride. Sheehan can also kick a bit if needed, but with his knee may be held back for a while.
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
no more pasta cup for the big fella![]()
Scott Daruda was pretty reliable injury wise. I'd kind of like to see him pursued as a replacement for Ripia. When he was with Agen they were promoted from Pro D2 to the Top 14 and now he's in Japan and their season will finish soon. He was always a decent kicker with a decent passing game. Maybe the last couple of years has improved his game management.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
I remember a game in which Scotty D was 10 - Lachy was already injured at that stage (surprisingly), when he caught the ball and then dropped like a stone. Some injury to his upper arm or something from memory...