I think everyone was impressed with the speed, intensity and level of skill on show in the Leeds and Hull.K.R game. It set early standards which all players and coaches will have had to sit up and take note of and in many ways it could set the tone for an energetic and explosive year!
The game of rugby league evolves like any sport and as the years have passed due to full time training , improved coaching at younger ages and increased understanding of the human body the game has increased in speed, players are becoming heavier ,faster,stronger and more importantly younger(in no way do i wish to alienate the elder members of the league, apologies Fozz). I often wonder at what stage the human body will reach its limit, and when the search for the edge in performance comes at the detrement of players health, I am pretty sure as our understanding of the human body increases as will performance and in rugby league the game will continue to develop and i predict that this season will be the fastest and most frantic yet.
For all other teams this weekends fixtures will be a chance to translate miles on the field and kilograms in the gym into tackles and carrys with the ball,for all the moments in the off season when Super League players lost their identity and questioned training in the rain and mud the first weekend of the year fills the part of our lives that has so obviously been missing,it changes from off-season cups of tea to inseason electrolyte drinks for hydration, from relaxing weekends to the pressure and expectation of being involved in a game, I love it!
It will be interesting to see who starts the strongest and which teams grab the early headlines, an early trend which occurs is the sides who have had the longest pre-season get the jump on everyone else! I imagine that all the sides who finished outside of the playoffs will be stronger and fitter early on in the year before the league settles down around 6-8 weeks in. Of course all teams will be prepared and be in tip top condition , I know at Saints we have worked hard and now there is a strong desire amongst our squad to play! We play Hull.K.R in round one and they have recruited very well and look to be a strong unit, they pushed leeds all the way and will be disappointed they couldnt close the game out. Our challenge comes to get up to the high standard they set last week and to win the game we must exceed it. I would just like to wish everbody in the league the best of luck for 2008....within reason that is, a few spots of misfortune against us would go down very well!!
I thought i would take this opportunity to tell you that superstitions still exsist in our game, some people this weekend will be getting changed in a specific place and in a specific order around the Super league grounds, some players will have edited a playlist of favourite songs to inspire them but at StHelens we have unearthed the oddest of all superstitions, one young player steals labels from luxury clothing, keeping several down his sock during training and games, he often removes them and fondles the silky labels and rubs them under his nose to comfort himself.....I think its brilliant....obviously this must remain a secret due to the nature of the superstition, dont worry Jamie Foster(18,about 6ft blonde spikey hair)your secret is safe with the lads!
The game of rugby league evolves like any sport and as the years have passed due to full time training , improved coaching at younger ages and increased understanding of the human body the game has increased in speed, players are becoming heavier ,faster,stronger and more importantly younger(in no way do i wish to alienate the elder members of the league, apologies Fozz). I often wonder at what stage the human body will reach its limit, and when the search for the edge in performance comes at the detrement of players health, I am pretty sure as our understanding of the human body increases as will performance and in rugby league the game will continue to develop and i predict that this season will be the fastest and most frantic yet.
For all other teams this weekends fixtures will be a chance to translate miles on the field and kilograms in the gym into tackles and carrys with the ball,for all the moments in the off season when Super League players lost their identity and questioned training in the rain and mud the first weekend of the year fills the part of our lives that has so obviously been missing,it changes from off-season cups of tea to inseason electrolyte drinks for hydration, from relaxing weekends to the pressure and expectation of being involved in a game, I love it!
It will be interesting to see who starts the strongest and which teams grab the early headlines, an early trend which occurs is the sides who have had the longest pre-season get the jump on everyone else! I imagine that all the sides who finished outside of the playoffs will be stronger and fitter early on in the year before the league settles down around 6-8 weeks in. Of course all teams will be prepared and be in tip top condition , I know at Saints we have worked hard and now there is a strong desire amongst our squad to play! We play Hull.K.R in round one and they have recruited very well and look to be a strong unit, they pushed leeds all the way and will be disappointed they couldnt close the game out. Our challenge comes to get up to the high standard they set last week and to win the game we must exceed it. I would just like to wish everbody in the league the best of luck for 2008....within reason that is, a few spots of misfortune against us would go down very well!!
I thought i would take this opportunity to tell you that superstitions still exsist in our game, some people this weekend will be getting changed in a specific place and in a specific order around the Super league grounds, some players will have edited a playlist of favourite songs to inspire them but at StHelens we have unearthed the oddest of all superstitions, one young player steals labels from luxury clothing, keeping several down his sock during training and games, he often removes them and fondles the silky labels and rubs them under his nose to comfort himself.....I think its brilliant....obviously this must remain a secret due to the nature of the superstition, dont worry Jamie Foster(18,about 6ft blonde spikey hair)your secret is safe with the lads!
1 comment:
Glad its back! Its a good read!
Sian
Post a Comment