In between training sessions, Danny McGuire has been working hard finishing off bits and pieces for his testimonial including speaking to a number of journalists back in England. The half back is excited and nervous about his big day as he hopes every thing will go to plan.
After lunch, the team head back out for the final training session of the camp with an early start on Thursday to head back home to Leeds. Brian McDermott confirms the team for Sunday prior to the start of the session. The starting line up wear their combat tops whilst their opposition are just in normal training gear. The combat top was bought in last season after consultation with Sian Jones, who is in charge of retail for the club, and Equipment Manager Glynn Bell. The top is made to the same specification as a playing jersey so is strong enough to withstand the pulling and grabbing of the wrestle room and training field without ripping plus gives players a realistic feel to the type of grip they would get in a game. Last year the team wore lime and steel combat jerseys but this years is a more flambuoyant style in pink and black with the Rhinos logo on it and the words Marching on Together in a tattoo style font. There are no plans at present to sell the shirt in the shop but it certainly makes the players stand out on the field.
The game is a great way for the coaches to assess how the week's training has gone and if the messages have sunk in ahead of Sunday's final pre-season game and it certainly appears they have. For those worried about whether the team would be able to get used to the cold of home, whilst the temperatures were not sub zero, the last afternoon was certainly colder than previous so the players were gradually bringing their internal thermostats down!
The trip concluded with the players performing skits they had prepared within small groups much to every amusement but not for a public airing!
All in all, it has been a great camp. The work that Jason Davidson put in the preparation has reaped rewards with everything falling into place. The players have been a real credit to the club throughout their stay and acquitted themselves excellently throughout and now they are ready for the real business that begins in less than a fortnight.
