Looks like we have a difference of opinion with the 2 new coaches in Hull. Our very own Sandy has had a very productive week away, training 3/4 times a day. Getting the team to bond and understand each other better on and off the field, seems a good move to me...BUT across the river the Hull Board want to cancel their trip stating we need to train in the bitter cold twice a day as these are the real conditions they will play in.

Question is ....Have we got it right or have Hull?

May be the real reason for Hull pulling out of the trip is financial? or can the players not be trusted or can the club not afford any more publicity? its a strange one.

Speaking to Ben Galea he feels the week away is worth 2 weeks full time training here and he and the rest of the team are fit and ready for the new season.

I think for Rovers having so many new faces in the squad it was needed to go through the Forming Storming Norming and Performing cycle.
Plus im sure the players were far happier training in those warm conditions.

I remember Rovers cancelling warm weather training and FC going away, produced many posts about our impending decline.

Pugwash, is it as uve stated that its the hull board thats stopped it or as gentle said its not needed? My understafing is its good and the right time to do it is now- then get back for some cold training for afew weeks mixed with some friendlies.

What i dnt understand is wires idea of goin over to OZ then less then a week after they get back play the 1st league game. Jet lagged and not ready for the cold dusnt figure right in my book.

Strange, but thanks for breaking the news in a timely manner, pugster. Maybe we've got the person that updates Rovers squad on your official website doing ours over the Christmas period. Article posted today says we're going. Rubbish, that.

With the weather we've had there is no need to go away. But I doubt the club would get there money back at this late stage. Although unlike Rovers it won't be for financial reasons

Yes and I remember Rovers training at Saltend produced many posts about how better it was than going abroad.

Was that 2009 when we finished 4th?

Pro's - More productive sessions out on the park able to practice without too many dropped balls. Muscles are more supple in warmer conditions so less likely to suffer injury while doing more physical training. A chance to bond with people you may only see at training and on game day. A time to prove what you can do when conditions are next to perfect allowing the coach to understand where you need to improve when conditions are not so great.

Con's - Not the conditions you will be playing in for most of the season. A good chance of a lads holiday culture to set in with issues getting back to the press.


I think most clubs see an improvement in skills by going away and I don't think the weather is any excuse not to go. It isn't about aclimatising to the conditions you will play the first round it is about what you get out of the sessions and if it pours down for weeks on end here or snows much less is going to get done which impacts on the season.

As for Warrington going to Oz, I agree it is late in the day but they wouldn't have been able to play a friendly with an NRL side had they not gone when they are. Also many top clubs don't see a quick, good start as important just a luxury. Warrington know they'll be in the mix at the end of the year and nowhere near struggling to make the 8. As Leeds proved it can be won from 5th so no great need to worry about winning your opening few games even though they'll go in to each game wanting to win.