World Rugby x Rugby Fit
Initially Jay Reeve and I did a gameday vlog with the Black Ferns, in partnership with World Rugby. From that, Whisper Productions reached out and we began talking through this concept. Essentially…what would it be like for an everyday bloke to go through a pre-season session with these elite rugby programs? Sounded like my dream gig?! So I dove right in. And what was to come over the next few weeks and months was a lot of blood sweat and tears, as well as a host of experiences I will never forget.
This is, Rugby Fit.
Hurricanes – Surf to Peak
The first session, I went down to Welly for the Hurricanes’ annual Surf to Peak session. And It certainly wasn’t a ‘warm into it’ type training session…
It started with a 1km sprint, before jumping on a bike for 25kms around the Wellington coastline.
Head winds, absolute grind.
We then dumped the bikes at the base of Mt Vic – Owen Franks boosts past me and I think to myself ‘I’m in for a long day here’.
Legs absolute jelly at this point, as I charged up the hill trying to keep pace with the leading group.
I made it to the top and the boys all got around me – they were really welcoming.
I gained such an appreciation for those lads – absolute machines – heading right into the silly season too.
Episode Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE97FONWWKM&t=10s
Chiefs – Bronco session
Next up was my mighty Chiefs mana – and I had never done a Bronco before.
The S&C coach welcomed me and kind of talked me through a rough gameplan, around keeping each unit to under a minute etc.
Then of course BANG, gun goes off, and I shoot off balls-to-the-walls. So that went straight out the window.
The Chiefs boys were busting it too because they were trying to get their own base level nice and high so, there were plenty of hurting bodies around the halfway point.
Damien McKenzie was the gold standard – I got stitched up and had to run with the backs too.
I think I finished 8th to last overall… or something like that, tough session that’s for sure.
Episode here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2CBeirav4k&t=2s
Highlanders – Sweat , sweat and more sweat
This was a cool one – and something totally different.
So the side engaged the University of Otago and basically they came in, collected your sweat and run some tests.
Essentially, they are able to accurately pin-point everything.
Your sodium and potassium levels – all that stuff – so when they get it back they can properly determine how to hydrate these guys.
Watt bikes, rowers – we basically went through a full gym session which is much more my style of training.
The boys were crazy strong – again the forwards blew me away with their fitness. Super, super impressive athletes.
Episode Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1DKhw3DVb4&t=2s
Crusaders – Wrestle & Run
This was a whole other experience.
Walking into rugby park, it’s dead silent. Everyone just getting into their work.
But then Razor came up to me smiling, shook my hand and had a laugh – he made me feel comfortable straight away.
The session itself was two, three-minute blocks where the goal is to just try to get – and hold – underhooks.
Then down, shuttle runs, and back into it.
Their strength under fatigue is a different level, and in wrestling you really gain an appreciation for that side of their training. There was no quit in them.
Episode Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e_1L2SUkgM&t=13s
Aussie7s – Field Session
This was a special one. I travelled to Sydney and got thrown right into the mix with the girls.
They were right in the middle of their season so full contact, skills, you name it. I went through the entire training with them.
We did a bit of 7 v 7 then which was fun – those girls are so skilled.
I did manage to throw a few darts there but a lot of running. A tough, tough session.
Episode here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMoN8FKd-9E
NZ Sevens – The Finale
Finishing with the NZ Sevens was the best way to do it – being a patriotic Kiwi I was that fizzed.
Beautiful day down there in the mount – those guys…their fitness is on a whole different level.
All the other Rugby Fit sessions were done in blocks, where the sides would sort of just plug me in here or there.
This was just ‘Logan, you’re in’ type of thing – I did the entire training session.
I snuck over for a meaty in a little 7 v 7 so, that was a nice feather in the cap – laid one on too with a little long-ball.
I walked away from that session understanding the elite level of international athletes. It’s just different.
There was the endorphin rush of obviously finishing a tough session, but more than that I was just so stoked to be rubbing shoulders with those guys.
And earning their respect through sweat and hard work, it was a special feeling.
Episode Here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZBl7h2gx6g
