The ACT Brumbies have turned to their cross-code counterparts to get the edge on managing a heavy game-day travel load - but for this game, "we'd walk there if we had to".
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COVID-19 restrictions mean the Brumbies will have to travel to Sydney Olympic Park and back on game day for a Super Rugby AU showdown with the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
Brumbies strength and conditioning coach John Mitchell has reached out to his counterparts at the Canberra Raiders, who have been forced to travel to and from Sydney or Melbourne on six occasions to comply with the NRL's strict biosecurity measures.
The Green Machine did it again for a grand final rematch with the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night as the club's taxing campaign continues.
The Super Rugby title favourites refuse to use game day travel as an excuse as they brace for a date with their fiercest rivals, with coach Dan McKellar imploring his squad to embrace the grind.
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The Brumbies' bus is likely to depart club headquarters just after lunch time on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 7.15pm in Homebush.
McKellar expects a halfway pit-stop will be taken to give players a chance to get off the bus, stretch and do walk-throughs to avoid fatigue so by the time kick-off comes, they're ready to "flick the switch".
"It's part and parcel, everyone will have to do it at some point in time. It's our turn this week," McKellar said.
"We're certainly well prepared for it. It's your mindset, how you want to approach it mentally. We can look at it one way or the other and we're certainly looking at it as a real positive.
"Everyone has got to make sacrifices at the moment and that's a small sacrifice we'll have to make. As I said to the boys on Monday, as 10-year-old's, we used to do it all the time. Mum and dad would pack up the car and off you'd go to play. You just got excited about it and we'll be exactly the same.
"It's the NSW Waratahs, we'd walk there if we had to."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND THREE
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Sydney Olympic Park, 7.15pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: Connal McInerney, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Lachlan McCaffrey, 20. Will Miller, 21. Issak Fines, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Mack Hansen.
Waratahs squad: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Alex Newsome, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Joey Walton, 14. James Ramm, 15. Jack Maddocks. Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Tetera Faulkner, 18. Angus Bell, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Will Harris, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 23. Ben Donaldson.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
