Schafer straight into life as a Mudcrab

THE first game of the FNQ Rugby A-grade season will carry some extra spice after long-term Brothers coach Sven Schafer left for the Northern Beaches.

Schafer has taken on a forwards coaching role at the Mudcrabs, working with the engine rooms across the Yorkeys Knob club’s A-grade, reserve grade and women’s teams.

It is a role the South African has relished, with the opportunity to conduct more live training drills and have more of an input into the development of the region’s forwards.

“I’ll be working with Russell – he was always welcome to having some more brains at the table,” Schafer said.

“They’re looking good. They’re a great bunch of guys, they’re committed, and we’ve been getting great numbers to training.

“Mudcrabs are well set up. A lot of the old boys are involved, they’ve got a strong committee and they’re very well run.”

Schafer served as the forwards coach for FNQ Thunder in their game against Canberra side Wests at the start of the year, and this role will allow him greater input to the part of the game he loves most.

“It will be things like their technique, scrummaging, timing, and getting them all to work as eight,” he said.

“Wherever they need help, I’ll help. My strength has always been in the forwards.”

Schafer’s acquisition should pay big dividends for Russell Todd’s Mudcrabs outfit as they seek a vast improvement on their 2019 season.

While they claimed the reserve grade trophy, the Agrade side was swept aside in most weeks as the club focused on a long-term build.

The 2020 season, in which all six teams will qualify for the finals, could present the opportunity for the Mudcrabs to capitalise and bring the silverware home for the first time in years.

Mudcrabs will start their campaign against Brothers on Thursday night, the first time Schafer will come up against the Brethren in years.

The game, at the Crabpot, will kickoff at 8.30pm.