The break is over and the hard work has begun for the Highlanders.
The squad, minus its international players, gathered at the University Oval yesterday for its first training session of 2017. With the first Super rugby game just 45 days away, new head coach Tony Brown was happy with the progress made.
``It was a good start for us. Obviously, day one's always a bit messy, but it's a line in the sand and the next three or four weeks are going to be great,'' Brown said.
Those not on end-of-year tours had spent three weeks together in December, wrapping up four days before Christmas. Despite that, the holiday period had not been a break from training.
``There's always extra stuff that the guys have to do over the Christmas period.
``It's a break from the rugby team, but it's not a break from the physical conditioning that needs to be done during that time.
``So they had their programmes that they got through and came back in pretty good condition.''
The team's All Blacks would join the squad in February, and its first pre-season game was scheduled for February 4 against the Crusaders in Darfield.
It would then begin its season on Friday, February 24 against the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium. There was plenty to do before then, though, and the team was focused on having a good build-up.
``We're just looking at putting in six weeks of quality work. Building players' bodies and fitness and getting our game sorted in the pre-season to get ready to take on the Chiefs at the end of February.''
The team has experienced plenty of success in recent years, making the playoffs the last three seasons and winning the title in 2015. Brown was hoping to carry on in the same manner, building on the foundations it had established.
``I think the way we play the game, we're in a good place and we're always trying to improve that. The leadership team that we've got, they've been doing a great job the past couple of years. So we just want to improve on those little things. Hopefully, the new guys that are coming in are going to add to our team so we stay ahead of the pack.''
- Jeff Cheshire
