CRUSADER BRINGS THE PAIN
Crusaders feel their coach’s pain
SOUTHSIDE Crusaders’ famed preseason “pain sessions” have carried over into 2018, with head coach Otto Suavai still hurting from his club’s heartbreaking 31-19 loss to Barron Trinity Bulls in last season’s FNQ Rugby grand final.
The Bulls trailed 19-14 with 20 minutes to play before run- ning in three late tries to emerge 31-19 victors, securing a second consecutive premiership in the process.
Suavai said training started three weeks before Christmas, with the bitter taste of defeat still lingering.
“I just didn’t want to take the foot off,” Suavai said.
“The boys were pretty disappointed. Luckily for me everyone’s pretty much back on board. Seeing the boys’ faces last year was tough. But the only way to get back up is to continue on our journey.”
The Crusaders have taken training to another level with regular hill-runs, beach sessions and a run to Behana Gorge incorporated into training.
“I’ve put them through some intense gym sessions and sprint training too,” Suavai said. “I’m training the forwards differently to the backs and I think it’s helping their explosiveness. We’re still doing pain sessions, but they come with a little bit more fun now.”
A family rivalry has also emerged, with Suavai’s brotherin-law and longtime Crusader, Dan Moevao, to coach the Northern Beaches Mudcrabs.
“I’m not sure when we play them but it’s going to be interesting,” Suavai said. “I’ll have to change a few plays around so he doesn’t know what’s going on.”
The FNQ Rugby season starts next month.