Crusaders' keep busy after 10 days in self-isolation

Many Crusaders players are now already 10 days into their lockdown after returning from Australia. Sports reporter Gordon Findlater caught up with Sevu Reece and Dallas McLeod to get some tips on how to stay positive in self-isolation.

Keep up a routine, stay active and find a way to unwind.

That's the message from Reece and McLeod who are now nine days into what will be at least 36 days of self-isolation.

"Try and keep up with things that you normally do," McLeod says. 

"If you normally exercise then keep that going. It's good to get into a routine every day and not sleep in longer than you normally do.

"It's tough, but everyone is going through the same thing.

"You've got to stay positive."

McLeod is hunkering down at home with his brother and brother's partner.

Meanwhile, Reece, his partner, and Crusaders teammate Fetuli Paea are doing the same in their central city home.

"We've actually got no backyard, but we've got a whole gym set up in the garage," Reece said.

"That will keep us busy."

Finding a local park to do sprints in is also an option for the All Blacks winger.

"We just make sure we don't go too close to other people in the community," he said.

Outside of gym work, McLeod says time at home will be spent catching up on university lectures, playing board games and PlayStation.

While his rugby career has been put on hold he's started a career mode with his own player on basketball video game NBA 2K20.

The latest version of Monopoly, which includes voice activation and an electronic banker, is also proving popular at home," said McLeod.

"The electronic banker means that you can't really cheat anymore, which is a bit of a shame.

"It's usually my brother or his girlfriend winning. I've finished second almost every time, but can't quite get the win yet."

He's also keen to learn some new recipes and become as sharp in the kitchen as he is on the rugby field.

Meanwhile, Reece says his culinary skills are similar to the way he dominates on the rugby paddock - with an emphasis on speed.

"Two-minute noodles done in different ways," Reece said.

"I just add all different sauces. Some sweet chili sauce and soy sauce."

Thankfully, Reece says his partner and Paea are both great cooks.

If he's lucky they may be able to pass on a couple of recipes to broaden his horizon, but for now the focus is on staying positive and getting through the next four weeks.

"It's a really hard time and a tough time for not just for New Zealand, but the whole world," Reece said.

We're all going through this, so just be safe. There's plenty of ways you can stay busy at home with board games and cards."