Seven meals a day as prop fronts up to big boys

We are seeing more of George Bower this year. More of him in more ways than one.

With All Black Joe Moody injured and out of the game for a significant period, Bower has become an important cog in the Crusaders’ machine, getting more game time.

The prop, who can play both sides but is seen as more of a loosehead, has been eating his way through Christchurch, trying to put on weight.

Last year, when he went on the All Blacks tour of Australia, without playing a game, he weighed in at 111kg — a respectable weight but still somewhat below what is seen to be needed to play in the front row at the top level.

So, Bower, who has played 26 games for Otago, has been packing on the muscle and putting on the beef to get heavier. He has moved up to 117kg and said it is helping — in some ways.

“I’m probably not as fit as I was when I was 111kg as I’m carrying that extra weight around. But when you get to scrums and the physical side of the game, it is a real help,” he said.

“I’m just trying to chip away at things and put on some weight. Using the gym, and doing a few more sessions to get some more muscle on. I’m eating lots more.

“I used to have four meals a day but now I’m pushing into five, six, seven meals.

“When you have a high training load, you need to have all that fuel to keep me going. But it hits you. And the wallet.”

Bower, who turns 29 later this month, first joined the Crusaders as a wider training squad member at the start of the 2019 season.

He managed to get 10 games that season and has slowly become a more important part of the side.

“I’m getting used it and everyone here — feeling more middle of the road than a new player. I’m not an old player either. But you do get more comfortable.

“I still do not talk too much. But when I do want to say something, I will say it.” — ODT