Playing position - #8

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
Running Lines
Quicker transfer of the ball
Defensive technique

Improvement most satisfied with;
My defensive technique – with better technique in the contact zone I now feel I am a better back rower

Most memorable on-field moment;
My line breaks that set up two tries. I love scoring tries but I love being the one who sets it up even more

Liked about the program;
I’ve enjoyed my whole experience in Australia. Being here for 2 months and living the lifestyle of a professional Rugby player has been a dream. Thanks for letting me come!!!

Playing Position – Fly Half

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
Kicking without a
On-field awareness and decision making
Running lines
Hand quickness and pass delivery

Improvement most satisfied with;
Hand quickness and decision making because it allows me to become more of an offensive threat as at fly-half. I always had a good running game but I now more our have more capabilities to automatically choose from.

Most memorable on-field moment;
Starting 1st Grade was quite the honour but leading 3rd grade to a win by setting up tries and making successful clearing kicks stands out as my most memorable. It was my most complete performance.

Liked about the program;
I very much enjoyed the company of the Dur guys and the blokes I have met at the rugby club along the way. I was able to develop my Rugby game and take what I wanted away from the program while still being able to experience a social vacation.

Playing Position – Centre

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
Ball skills – Passing and handling
Running Lines
On field awareness – defensively and offensively

Improvement most satisfied with;
Ball skills because it was something I really wanted and my coach wanted me to work on. I have learned how to successfully pass before contact and also in contact. I would also say running lines too because as a back I can see that all it takes is a little angle and I can be through a hole.

Most memorable on-field moment;
Scoring two tries in one game. On one of the tries I was able to put skills I learned at DUR training (slide onto loose ball and stand up in one motion) into the actual game. Also, throughout this particular game I put many skills I had learned from DUR into practise during the game

Liked about the program;
I have really liked the indivvidual coaching provided. I have been able to improve a lot by working on all aspects of my game. The video sessions helped a lot with improvement of my game. Being able to have free time to explore Australia was great. I didn’t get burnt out on Rugby and was able to have fun. I have met a lot of cool people on this trip as well

Playing Position: Loose head prop

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
Scrummaging
On-field Awareness
Rucking
And KICKING!

Improvement most satisfied with;
Scrummaging – I now know the correct technique as well as possess the knowledge to be able to adjust to my opponent’s differences with scrummaging technique

Most memorable on-field moment;
Being able to jump in and have a run in the last first grade game and prove to myself that I am effective at that level.

Liked about the program;
The video sessions and the individual DUR sessions were the most helpful. The weight and speed sessions were great too.

Playing Position – Tight Head Prop

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
Scrummaging
Tackling – made me realize that I need to improve this to take my game to the next level
Communication (especially with new teammates)

Improvement most satisfied with;
My scrummaging because as my game progresses I’m going to be going against bigger props week in week out. If I have the correct technique and a strong core, there is no telling how high my game can go.

Most memorable on-field moment;
Getting a win in 3rd Grade. In the win I touched the ball many times, rucked well and scrummaged great. I had a high work rate and that just shows how not walking can affect your game when you are tired.

Liked about the program;
The Rugby knowledge I received can take me very far. I also loved the down time joking around with the great group of guys and just seeing Australia cause this was my first time, but hopefully not my last.

Playing Position – Second Row/Flanker

Top the 3 things that DUR improved;
My Running Lines and field awareness.
General Knowledge of the game---for example, strategy.
Basic Skills: tackling, passing and rucking, especially counter rucking, and contact zone.

Improvement most satisfied with;
My field awareness, both offensively and defensively. After learning basic running lines I found my self getting the ball more, and receiving the pass right at the gain line, making it easier to break through. At that point, the better field awareness and passing skills I developed helped me finish the play, usually by using the skills developed in three-on-two drills. Also the better field awareness and basic contact zone drills improved my defense. I became more aggressive in the tackles and in defensive rucking.

Most memorable on-field moment;
Starting off the season with a dislocated elbow, and being able to go from third to first grade in just a couple of weeks was great, but playing in the second grade game and picking a ball from the ruck and breaking 3 to 4 tackles for about 40 yard run at the end of the game was probably my most memorable on-field moment.

Liked about the program;
I like the coaches the most. They are the best coaches in the Southern Hemisphere, well at least the best coaches in the Southern Hemisphere that I met. They were great motivators, and really expected the best out of us, and they were not afraid to tell us when we were not doing as well as we could. They pushed us as hard as they could at practice, and expected that same effort on the field on Saturdays. At the same time they were great to hang out with. Usually after each match, they would take us out in Sydney; usually a different place each week.