The Wallabies went into heavy training Monday at a six-day camp ahead of next month’s four-Test rugby tour to Europe.
A 37-man squad was announced last week and the players began their training at Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales mid-north coast before their departure on October 27.
The Wallabies will play internationals against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland and have mid-week matches against Ireland A, Scotland A and Welsh team Ospreys, making it the busiest tour schedule the Australians have faced since 1996.
Coach John Connolly has ordered an intense block of training, with double sessions for most of this week.
”We have a number of new faces in the squad and only a short time to prepare for the tour, where we’ve got four very tough Tests, so this week’s camp is extremely important for us,” Connolly said in a statement.
”We are going to brush up on all areas of our game through the week as well as starting our planning for each Test.”
Connolly is using the European tour as important preparation for next year’s World Cup in France.
”The tour will be a significant exercise for Australian Rugby as we keep one eye on the World Cup and continue to focus on the immediate task of turning around a poor away record,” he said.
The Australians finished the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa with just two wins in this year’s six games and two in their past 11 matches in the competition.
The Wallabies’ have a wretched away record against the big four nations — New Zealand, South Africa, England and France — winning only once in 19 away Tests since November 2001.
Connolly said that Wallaby coaching staff will use the tour to continue their aim of expanding their player base ahead of the World Cup.
”We’ve worked hard to build on our depth in the forwards this year and this will continue on the tour, while we also plan to do some experimentation in the backs,” he said.
Australia’s first tour match will be against the Ospreys in Swansea on November 1. – Sapa-AFP