The new rugby season is only three weeks away and while I am outwardly expressing excitement to impress on those around me my love of the game, inwardly I have a feeling of…Oh God here we go again. Super 14 has become little more than a cash cow for the SANZA unions and worse, a predictable competition where we can say with a fair deal of certainty that the Crusaders will win, the Highlanders will lose the Hurricanes will provide much of ... Read More

Category: Fitness Objective: To assess fitness levels of players Gear: Audio file (free download) Or Tape Or Cd + Cones Players: Whole team The Bleep Test or Multi Stage Fitness Test is a test that is a commonly used to assess aerobic fitness. It is also known as the 20 meter shuttle run test, beep test or bleep test. The test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 m apart. These runs are synchronized with a pre-recorded audio tape or CD, which plays ... Read More

Category: Passing Objective: To improve ball handling skills. Gear: 1ball, 10 metre grid (can use cones or anything to mark area) Players: 2 teams of 4 to 6 Each player in a team is given a number. The ball must be passed between team members, but the rule is that it must be passed in order. i.e Player 1 must pass to 2, 2 must pass to 3 etc. The game is like Piggy in the middle but as a group. The defending team must try and ... Read More

Category: Ruck Objective: Players consider options at Ruck Time Gear: Hit shields (at least 2), balls Players: Groups of 4 to attack, 2 hold hit shields Two players hold hit shield close together facing attacking players. 1st player of attackers comes up, hits the shield, and goes to ground The next three players follow closely and make a decision as the first hits the ground...to either: 2 players blow over the ball, 3rd picks up or each player can attempt a pick and go. The defending players can steal the ball, ... Read More

Category: Kick-Off / Restart Objective: To make a restart from half way or the 22m line. Gear: Balls, and tee Players: 4 The player who needs to practice their kicking takes to ball to halfway, midfield. 3 forwards lineup at halfway in a group, in line with where the kick will be aimed. The kicker then attempts to kick the ball, it must travel at least 10 meters. The aim is for the kicker to land the ball over the 10 meter line on the full, but kick ... Read More

Born: 4 September 1959 Teams Coached: Canterbury NPC, Canterbury Super and The Wallabies Current Job: The Wallabies Head Coach Robbie Deans is the most successful Super Rugby coach, coaching his Crusaders team to 5 tournament wins, more than any other coach. He was also successful as a provincial coach, coaching the Canterbury provincial team to a win in 1997. Deans, was assistant Coach to John Mitchell in 2001, and was also a All Black player himself, representing New Zealand on 19 occasions. The Wallabies The highest ... Read More

Born: 8 June 1946 Teams Coached: All Blacks, Auckland NPC, Auckland Blues, Wales and Lions Current Job: All Blacks Head Coach His first major role was coaching the Auckland NPC team from 1992 to 1997. During that time Auckland won the NPC 4 times in a row. He then went on to coach the Auckland Blues Super rugby team, winning the title two years in a row in 96 and 97. In 1998, Henry, passed over as All Black coach, headed over seas, appointed head coach ... Read More