Assistant Coach Joe Barakat talks us through his time off and hitting the ground running for pre-season training...
During the break in June I went home to a beautiful Sydney winter of 20-degree weather, it was fantastic. We went to the Hunter Valley and had some wine, played some golf and had a pretty relaxing time with the family.
June went by pretty quickly and now we are into pre-season training. It’s great to be back, there are a few changes but I think change provides stimulus for the players and the coaching staff, some new faces and a fresh environment. We are trying out some new things so it’s all good so far.
In terms of training regime, we have hit the ground running, which is normal in a professional environment, when we get out on the park we are functioning at a high level of intensity. We are conscious this year of starting really well. Last season we missed out on Champions Cup qualification by one point and we missed out on a PRO12 home semi by one win, and that was all down to some poor performances early on, where we should have come away with a win. So the strategy this year is all about starting well, being on the ball early and that’s what the players are focused on.
The new guys are settling in really well, Bryn and Les did a fantastic job recruiting. Charles, Kieran, Brett, Rodney and Angus are all asking questions and showing a good level of skill at training. They are still small fish in a big pond at the moment but they will find their way.
This time last year, I was in their shoes, a small fish in a big pond but now I feel so comfortable in this environment because I have been here for a year. There is a real determination for us not to repeat last year’s performance and not to finish the bridesmaid again and I think the boys want to finish the bride (or the groom!). We want to walk away at the end of the season feeling that we have done the very best that we can. We have just started back but so far this pre-season, the guys are extremely focused and positive.
With the World Cup happening last year Les wasn’t with us right from the beginning and I think stability is crucial in this environment. So having a Director of Rugby in situ from the outset is great. The environment was stable and quite successful last year, so the boys have familiarity but there are also some changes and a clear vision to work towards this season.
In terms of stand-outs so far… we all know what Charles is like, outside of rugby he is a fantastic character, he is a positive person so he is great for the environment. It has been really good to see Angus here also, he is pushing the boundaries and showing some excellent skill. I have been really impressed with all the new guys, they don’t feel like they have to wait in line. The opportunity is there and they are going out to grab it, no one is fading into the background, they are all being overwhelmingly open, honest and aggressive and that’s how we want them to be. Creating a competitive environment at training is crucial to us being successful going forward.
Stu McCloskey has also been a stand out for me so far, we throw him in with the forwards when it comes to wrestling and the BJJ and he throws them around the park, he has great resolve and it will be great to see him push his weight around this season for a spot on the team. It’s also great to see Louis back running again, I think he will be crucial for us this season.
During the break in June I went home to a beautiful Sydney winter of 20-degree weather, it was fantastic. We went to the Hunter Valley and had some wine, played some golf and had a pretty relaxing time with the family.
June went by pretty quickly and now we are into pre-season training. It’s great to be back, there are a few changes but I think change provides stimulus for the players and the coaching staff, some new faces and a fresh environment. We are trying out some new things so it’s all good so far.
In terms of training regime, we have hit the ground running, which is normal in a professional environment, when we get out on the park we are functioning at a high level of intensity. We are conscious this year of starting really well. Last season we missed out on Champions Cup qualification by one point and we missed out on a PRO12 home semi by one win, and that was all down to some poor performances early on, where we should have come away with a win. So the strategy this year is all about starting well, being on the ball early and that’s what the players are focused on.
The new guys are settling in really well, Bryn and Les did a fantastic job recruiting. Charles, Kieran, Brett, Rodney and Angus are all asking questions and showing a good level of skill at training. They are still small fish in a big pond at the moment but they will find their way.
This time last year, I was in their shoes, a small fish in a big pond but now I feel so comfortable in this environment because I have been here for a year. There is a real determination for us not to repeat last year’s performance and not to finish the bridesmaid again and I think the boys want to finish the bride (or the groom!). We want to walk away at the end of the season feeling that we have done the very best that we can. We have just started back but so far this pre-season, the guys are extremely focused and positive.
With the World Cup happening last year Les wasn’t with us right from the beginning and I think stability is crucial in this environment. So having a Director of Rugby in situ from the outset is great. The environment was stable and quite successful last year, so the boys have familiarity but there are also some changes and a clear vision to work towards this season.
In terms of stand-outs so far… we all know what Charles is like, outside of rugby he is a fantastic character, he is a positive person so he is great for the environment. It has been really good to see Angus here also, he is pushing the boundaries and showing some excellent skill. I have been really impressed with all the new guys, they don’t feel like they have to wait in line. The opportunity is there and they are going out to grab it, no one is fading into the background, they are all being overwhelmingly open, honest and aggressive and that’s how we want them to be. Creating a competitive environment at training is crucial to us being successful going forward.
Stu McCloskey has also been a stand out for me so far, we throw him in with the forwards when it comes to wrestling and the BJJ and he throws them around the park, he has great resolve and it will be great to see him push his weight around this season for a spot on the team. It’s also great to see Louis back running again, I think he will be crucial for us this season.