Todd rises to muddie task
RUSSELL Todd never expected to become the leader of a mudcrab army when he arrived in Cairns six years ago.
The Englishman started his Australian odyssey in Inverell in northern New South Wales, where he played one full season of rugby before his journey continued north.
That northern adventure went just about as far as it could go, and when he arrived in Cairns his personal, professional and sporting lives changed forever.
He met the woman who became his wife, found a place he could call home, and happened upon a new rugby team that trained near his house.
The Northern Beaches Rugby Union Club, the mighty Mudcrabs, quickly adopted the front-rower, and later Todd became the club’s captain.
This year starts another chapter in the shared history of Todd and the Mudcrabs, as the 27-year-old assumes the role of coach.
While he has coached representative and schoolboys teams before, this will be the first time Todd has coached a club team through a full season.
He is fully aware of the challenge ahead.
The Mudcrabs have endured a number of tough seasons, and last year finished equal last, but Todd is realistic.
“We’re not thinking about premierships this year,” he said.
“We want people to be enjoying rugby, training twice a week and playing the games.
“My approach to coaching is simple: I want to improve every player.”
The Mudcrabs have played two trials to date, and while the results don’t matter Todd said the squad completed the objectives he set out before the games.