Tents, yoga mats, fly fishing and a pre-dawn hike to the Porcupine Rocks to watch the sunrise. Sounds more like a family getaway than a rugby camp, but ACT Brumbies hope it's the start of Super Rugby success.
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The Brumbies left their boots and balls in Canberra to go on a three-day camping stint under the stars in the Kosciuszko National Park, stepping away from training just days before their first trial match on Saturday.
But this was different to the usual boot camps of exhaustion or the pub bonding sessions. This was David Pocock chopping firewood, the forwards cooking steaks on an open flame and an entire-team yoga session.
Coach Dan McKellar had been working with The Fly Program founder Matt Tripet for four months to plan a new way of taking players out of their comfort zone.
The Fly Program raises awareness of men's mental health and offers a variety of activities for those who partake. So the Brumbies went simple: No mattresses, no game plans, cooking for themselves and getting to know new and old faces.
"It was a chance for them to share stories about what's important to them and why," McKellar said. "A chance to talk about who they are.
"There was no rugby. It was just about bringing the group together, finding out the things that are important to players and staff. Why the Brumbies are important and what they're grateful for."
The Brumbies will play the Melbourne Rebels in their first test of the year when they clash at Viking Park this weekend. It will be a chance for players to press their claims for round-one selection.
But the team will have just two full training days this week after stepping away from the hectic fitness and ballwork sessions to form a tightknit bond.
They woke up at 2.45am on Tuesday to make the trek to the top of the Porcupine Rocks, arriving 15 minutes before the sun appeared over the horizon.
When they made it back to camp they packed up and drove back to Canberra to return to training to turn their attention to Quade Cooper and the Rebels.
"Given the camp was positioned where it was [this week] highlights how important it was leading into that first trial," McKellar said.
"The trial is obviously important, but it wasn't going to be a case of this camp not happening. I wanted to give the group time to get to know each other and build genuine relationships. We like to think we're a family club, and like families, you've got to spend time investing in each other.
"The last three days have certainly allowed us to do that and The Fly Program did a great job with everything in a beautiful setting. The time out there gave them a chance to appreciate the good things in their life, including a mattress."
The Brumbies will name their team later this week before the Rebels game. Most of the club's Wallabies representatives will be rested, giving McKellar a chance to test new combinations.
Controversial playmaker Cooper has moved to Melbourne after the Queensland Reds exiled him from Super Rugby last year and refused to pick the former Test star for any games during the regular season.
BRUMBIES PRE-SEASON
Saturday: Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Viking Park, 6.30pm. Entry is free.
February 7: Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Goulburn, 6.30pm. Entry is free for Brumbies and Waratahs members.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
February 15: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
