Canterbury Colts - Good Start to Season
Coach Craig Philpott says, they really wanted to “hit the ground running” this season, and began their campaign with an over-night camp at the Springfield Marae the night before their first game, against the South Canterbury ‘A’ Side, at Rugby Park. Although the Colts started well, and played some exciting rugby, they went down to the experienced South Canterbury side, 12-29 They had the following week off, and utilized the time to re-focus and review their performance against South Canterbury. The time-off paid off, and the Colts found their feet, running in two good wins over Nelson 19-5, and Marlborough 40-15. Craig says the guys are getting “pretty used to traveling on a bus”, as most of their matches are away from home this season, and the team management are really highlighting the need for good hydration and nutrition. They have adopted a “make your own lunch” competition, and the players are asked to bring their own packed lunch with them on the bus when they leave, and their team trainer awards prizes to the most nutritional. Craig says they started off “interesting”, but have improved as the weeks have gone by. Craig says the team management have looked to try and replicate the Canterbury ‘A’ and Crusader teams this season, and are using a “Review and Preview” aspect, where they meet as a team at the start of the week and look at their previous game, and where they can improve for the next, and future matches to come. They have also looked not only at their “on-field” performance, but their off field also, in terms of making good decisions, and using examples of high profile sports people who have featured in the media recently. After a narrow 32-20 loss to Otago at Carisbrook last weekend, the Colts are now looking forward to their trip to Wellington this weekend and Hamilton the following, where Craig says it will be a change of scenery as they are flying for a change. Craig says while they haven’t had too many injury concerns so far, they have been waiting for the return of New Zealand Under 20 representative Tom Taylor from injury, and hopes that he will be fit to take to the field this weekend. They have also been fortunate to have the likes of Air New Zealand Cup squad member, and second-year Canterbury Colts player, Sam Monaghan (pictured), playing for them on a regular basis. Locationhttp://www.crfu.co.nz/main/index.cfm/1,244,0,0,html Copyright © CRFU 2010 |
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The Canterbury Colts side has had a good start to their season, although they have been on the road for the majority of it.Site by Orbital Ltd