We had two first team players down to assist at our practice and we wasted no time in getting them to demonstrate front on tackling and clearing out at rucks. Rumours that the coaches didn’t want to demonstrate front on tackling because they didn’t want to end up looking like Jacque Burger were unfair, the suggestion that it would be an improvement anyway was even more unfair. We focussed on basic tackling technique and then tested our tacking skills out in a couple of highly competitive games of tackling rob the nest.

We moved on to a game of touch rugby which combined ball handling with breakdown skills. Emphasis was placed on good body position in rucks, quick ball, running from deep and using the available space. We then had the toucher run to the baseline and back to work on exploiting space, Coach Gus wanted to add 10 press-ups as well but there was some concern that no one would make any touches.

We then had a half hour contact game, it started slowly but quick ball, running from deep and using the space available came the fore encouraged by “advice” from coaches Andrew and Iain. There was a great range of skills shown, out of the back of the hand offloads, pinpoint kicks and some great passes and tackles. We are getting close to our first tournament so lots of work to do but progressing well.