Arriving in the Gold Coast for final World Cup preparations
James Pritchard. wk 35.
Bedford Blues captain James Pritchard has swapped blue for red to represent Canada in the 2011 World Cup. Here is his exclusive diary.
Sunday – After 36 hours spent in the air and waiting at airports we have finally arrived on the east coast of Australia to kick off our final preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Even after the travel the boys were in pretty good spirits and quite happy to get straight out of our hotel at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and head down to the beach and test out the surf.
Monday – After a somewhat disrupted sleep and early rise we headed to our training ground for the week at The Southport School.
The first session of the day was a little rusty and was used to help get the flight and jetlag out of our system.
After lunch the second session was much more crisp and on the money.
Tuesday – Another two sessions today, although just one on the field going through our game plan and patterns for our game against a strong Australian Barbarians side on Friday.
A few interviews with the local press help round off a long day and I’m looking forward to some dinner out with the team at a local restaurant and then back to the hotel to relax.
Wednesday – Coach Crowley names the team in the morning and I’ve been given the nod at full-back.
So we head to the school for just one session today focusing on our moves and our defensive patterns. A bit of kicking practice rounds off the session.
After lunch a few boys and myself head out to the Kooga factory to see how they make all our jerseys and get to score a bit of free gear as well.
A quick phone call to Benny Alexander to wish him all the best for his game against the All Blacks for Australia on Saturday and the day is nearly done.
Just one more phone call to make and that’s to my partner Jen and son Lucas to check up with how things are going back home.
Thursday – The morning is taken up with a team run and photo at the stadium and the boys are pretty excited.
A little kicking practice to finish off. The afternoon is free and the boys are out and about exploring all that Surfers Paradise has to offer.
Friday – Game day is here and the day is spent in and around the hotel just waiting around for the kick-off.
After what seems like forever 7.30pm is here and the game at Skilled Park is under way. The first half is full of errors by us and the Barbarians show no mercy by putting points on the board. To our credit we fight back a bit and go into half time trailing 33-14.
The second half is a much-improved effort but the damage had already been done and the Baa Baas score a late try to win 38-14. The boys are pretty disappointed with the performance as we gifted the Aussies some easy tries from basic mistakes, and we know we need to improve if we are going to make a name for ourselves.
Saturday – After the disappointment from the night before the boys have been given the opportunity to head up to Suncorp in Brisbane tonight and watch the last Tri-Nations test between Australia and New Zealand.
For me it’s an opportunity to watch a couple of old team-mates in action, one being former Bedford Blue Ben Alexander. The game is an absolute cracker and the Aussies come out fighting and go into the break leading.
After a bit of a scare in the second half they end up holding on and winning 25–20 and the Tri-Nations for the first time in 10 years.
In the excitement of the win I was able to buy my son Lucas his first Wallabies jersey. So that will be getting sent home to him.
Sunday – With all the excitement of the past two days behind us, it’s time to get back to work. With footage of the game to go through and discuss, and then a session out on the field we have it all to do. But watching last night’s game seems to have invigorated quite a few of the boys and everyone is biting at the bit.
Until next week, take care and remember Come On You Blues.
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
