Cockatoos in training with the HSBC Waratahs
» Back to News Listing
Friday, 21 November 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs has strengthened its relationship with the NSW Country Rugby Union with four players invited to train with the Super 14 squad this week.
Chris Hickey with the Cockatoos players who trained with the Waratahs.
HSBC Waratahs Head Coach Chris Hickey (centre) with NSW Country Cockatoos Matt Dun, David Kennedy, Blake Creighton and Tom Cullen.
Winger David Kennedy, 23 (Newcastle University/Newcastle Hunter), fullback Blake Creighton, 19 (Merewether Carlton/Newcastle Hunter), lock Matt Dun, 30, (Newcastle University/New England) and flanker Tom Cullen, 23, (St Alberts College/New England) joined the Waratahs in week three of their Super 14 pre-season featuring in all sessions throughout the week.
Head Coach Chris Hickey praised the players for their involvement, stressing their willingness to learn from the best players and coaches in the state.
"It's great that at this stage of the season that we can invite a few extra bodies in to train with the Super 14 squad, and we knew that bringing in Australian Rugby Shield players from the Cockatoos would work on two fronts," said Hickey. "Firstly, we get the advantage of having some extra players to match up against while we're short of all our Wallaby players.
"And on the other hand, the Cockatoos players get to experience the professional Rugby environment, learn a new approach to preparation, conditioning and training, and they can take that back to their club, zone and the NSW Country team.
"We've always got an eye on Country Rugby to check out the talent coming through and we wouldn't have taken these blokes in for a week if we didn't think they were up to it. They certainly didn't disappoint."
All players featured in sessions on the field, in the gym and at the beach, and were also extensively tested and monitored by the Waratahs strength and conditioning staff.
After presenting the players with official Waratahs training apparel, Hickey said the exercise was a great success and would look to continue the relationship should the opportunity arise in the future.
"Obviously the circumstances need to be right for us to be in a position to bring in these players for a few sessions with us, but this week was evidence of how successful collaborative programs such as these can be."