You’re at home. You’re packing. You’ve got a big game on Friday. You’re thinking about your team going into the game against Racing, but you’re trying not to think about the game. The TV’s on in the background but you’re not sure what rubbish is on. Did you put in enough socks? You’re always looking for something and forget what it is halfway between rooms. Don’t stuff it all in. The phone’s going.
After what was a great tournament in Dubai again we were up at the crack of dawn (6.00am) to fly to Port Elizabeth in South Africa for Leg 3.
As Rory Lamont roars into town young full-back Stuart Hogg is hoping to wrest a jersey from him.
We landed in Dubai bright and early around seven am and of course the first thing anyone really wanted to do was hit the hay and catch some zzzz. However, no rest for the wicked and to try and avoid any jet lag we were instructed to stay awake all day, this proved rather difficult, especially for one Michael Fedo who was found later that morning by roommate James Eddie fast asleep.
Day Two started a tad earlier so we were up and away to the ground before we had much time to think. This wasn’t a bad thing as we focused in straight away on the task at hand: a big Polynesian side from the tiny island of Niue.
We got out to the Gold Coast nice and early which allowed for plenty of time to overcome the jet lag and stretch the legs. Our first week was spent in some nice self catering apartments, room 1 was the dream team super 6 from Glasgow (myself, Colin Gregor, Ross Miller, James Eddie, Sean Kennedy and Adam Ashe) and room two consisted of the ‘other’ 6 (Andy Turnbull, Scott Riddell, Michael Fedo, Struan Dewar, James Fleming and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne). The apartments were in a fantastic location, a minute’s walk from training facilities and the supermarket.
“We dont play rugby for the money, we play rugby because we love it.”
No matter how your season is going it is nice to be recognised for your achievements, Even if you didn’t know you were being watched. Humble Borderer Lee Jones, upon hearing of his award of Hotel Du Vin/Malmaison Player of the Month, simply afforded himself a sheepish smile.
“I’m pretty pleased. I didn’t know they were running the award, to be fair, so when it came up in our team meeting I was genuinely shocked!
Our week in Wellington started in a pretty relaxed manner.
Here’s Richie Vernon’s 2nd installment of his RWC Diary
Warriors centre and senior player Rob Dewey has written an open leter to fans about the beginning of the new season and the goals that the lads at Scotstoun have set themselves…
I’ll let the man do the talking himself:
With rugby, as with all competitive sport, you see players have to deal with setbacks. Sometimes these setbacks can define a player’s career. Sometimes, just sometimes though, a player can define his career by using those setbacks as opportunities.
The key is setting goals and being realistic about what you can, and importantly, need to achieve.
So when Dundonian Alasdair Dickinson told me “The shoulder’s OK so far!” I couldn’t help but feel a little relief for him.
Pre-season is a hectic time, whichever way you look at it. Players switch clubs, coaches scrap systems and start again, teams take stock of the season ahead of them.
Tension, too, is a huge part of preparation.
Like it or not we are in the throes of a new season.
It is rare that you can talk to someone who has’ been there and done it’. Indeed since the era of professionalism it is rare to even talk to someone regarding the inner workings of sport and get a straight answer. So when Frank Hadden starts telling you about the magic of the 6 Nations you know you have to sit up and listen. A.D. caught up with him earlier in the week.
