Magners League Official Website : Cheika pleased with pre-season build up

Cheika pleased with pre-season build up

22 July 2005, 5:27 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Leinster coach Michael Cheika is pleased with his side’s pre-season training to date and believes that the squad is in good shape for the coming season.

Speaking exclusively to www.leinsterrugby.ie Cheika said that he has been impressed with the playing squad and backroom team.

”I knew before I arrived in Ireland about the quality in the squad. The players have been working hard in training and there has been a lot of good work done behind the scenes to prepare for what promises to be an exciting season. We are into week 4 of the first 5-week phase of pre-season training and the attitude and application has been first class.

“It is important that we get the right blend in terms of downtime and so the guys will be off their feet so that they can recover and gear up towards the start of the new season.”
As well as the quality in the squad that he inherited, Cheika is pleased with the new signings. He said: “The new guys have settled in really well and are working hard. Will (Green) is going to be an important member of our squad because he brings a lot of experience to the squad. He looks like he is enjoying his footy and leads from the front.

“Adam (Byrnes) arrived last week fresh from playing in Australia and he is young, raw, aggressive and talented. He’s settling into a different environment and he’s starting to flourish in training.
“Bernard (Jackman), like Kieran Lewis, earned his first cap for Ireland on the recent Japanese tour and those who toured have been back with us for the last two weeks and are going well in training.”
Leinster kick off the 2005/’06 season with back-to-back home friendlies against Parma (August 20th) and the Northampton Saints (August 26th). Michael believes that both games will provide his side with ideal preparation for the new season.

“We felt that it was important to play against sides who we mightn’t come up against in the Celtic League or Heineken Cup competitions. Italian sides are physically strong and traditionally play a good spoiling game, so I’m expecting a tough game against Parma.
“Northampton have strengthened during the close season and will also be tough opponents. It’s good to play against sides with different approaches to the game. The more experience we get, the stronger we will become as a unit.”

On the injury front, Cheika added: “Brendan Burke is back in full training. Malcolm (O’Kelly) hopes to be back for the start of the new season after undergoing a hernia operation.
"The medical team will continue to monitor Malcolm's progress as they will with Brian O’Driscoll who is desperate to get back to action after his recent shoulder surgery. Brian remains very positive and he’s not experiencing any pain which is good news.”