Harry's House
Emirates Western Force recruit Sam Harris will blog exclusively for www.westernforce.com in the lead up to, and during, the 2010 Investec Bank Super 14 season, offering rare insight into the daily grind of the professional rugby player.
Sam is married to Hannah, and has twin baby girls (Scarlett and Anais), who were born in September 2009.
HARRY'S HOUSE - CRUSADERS WEEK
Mon 19th Apr: It was so great to get back and see my girls but all the while I know that next week I'm going to say goodbye again - this time for three weeks. I don't know how I'm going to do it. The expectation and then disappointment of last week left everyone a bit sour and keen to make amends. Due to travel and the late stage of the season today's run was very light.
HARRY’S HOUSE – BLUES WEEK
Sun 11th Apr: Feeling a little tired after a few celebrations following the Highlanders match but excited to be in Queenstown and the opportunity to have a look around. A big group go white water boogie boarding. By all reports was a fun day for all except our scrum coach Matt Tink. He came home with a bruised backside after an unfortunate landing in the water from a 15 meter platform. He should be able to sit down on a seat sometime next week!
HARRY'S HOUSE - HIGHLANDERS WEEK
Mon 5th Apr: I tell you what it's a much better feeling rocking up to work on Monday after a win. We're not getting ahead of ourselves but it's good to be off the bottom of the ladder. We run through a couple of new plays for the week. The starting fifteen get an early mark, the rest of the squad do some fun skill drills and fitness games. I feel a lot better for the run.
HARRY'S HOUSE - STORMERS WEEK
Mon 29th Mar: While there were no injuries from the game the squad is very sore. Constantly chopping down those massive Yarpies takes its toll. Instead of hitting the field like we normally do, we head to an indoor court to walk through our new patterns and plays. After that we are off to the Challenge Stadium pool for a ‘Gen-Y’ v ‘Cougars’ water polo match. Predictably the young boys had more energy which resulted in a comfortable win to the lads. Cummo was very impressive!
HARRY'S HOUSE - REDS WEEK
Mon 8th Mar: The coaches have revamped our outlook towards our game plans and policies. With that the squad is training with renewed vigour. The field session is very snappy and fluent. David Hill is looking like a really good addition to the squad and gives the tram a better balance.
HARRY'S HOUSE - HURRICANES WEEK
Mon 15th Feb: Wash up from the loss to the Brumbies. Cam Shepherd is out for a long time with a hip flexor tear. If that wasn't bad enough Brownie has dislocated and done some cartilage damage to his shoulder - 6 weeks maybe with no operation, season if he has to go under the knife, tragic news. Personally I have to face the music with my game review.
HARRY'S HOUSE - WEEK ONE REVIEW
Mon 1st Feb: Some of the boys still suffering from jet lag, so understandably it's hard to get up for a Monday morning field session but on Friday we play our final trail so every squad member is appropriately focused and energized.
HARRY'S HOUSE - TRIAL PHASE, PART TWO
Mon 25th Jan: Stirring victory for the backs to start the Captain’s Run with Mitch Hardy (our team manager), who was making up the numbers, showing a good turn of speed to score the winning try...
HARRY'S HOUSE - TRIAL PHASE, PART ONE
Mon 18th Jan: Last full on hit out before we go to Africa. We stayed inside in the morning and pushed the afternoon session back 1 hour, reason being it was 43 degrees.
Mon 11th Jan: Theme of this week's training is similar to last week, although this week we are going to step up the contact. We got straight into it on Monday afternoon. With the large volume of work last week we have had some minor injuries, this being my 10th pre-season I have come to know that a few casualties along the way is a necessary evil.
HARRY'S HOUSE - FIRST INSTALLMENT OF 2010
Mon Jan 4th: 1st day of 2010 training. Before I get into that, I’ll just touch on what my family and I got up to over the break. We flew back to the Gold Coast to spend the holidays with my wife's family. Christmas is made all the more special with the introduction of little ones.
HARRY'S HOUSE - CHRISTMAS EDITION
Mon 7th Dec: Fully refreshed from my trip to the wineries with the family down Margaret River. What a beautiful part of the country. My girls had a great time and the twins haven't behaved better, so the trip was a success.
HARRY'S HOUSE - NUMBER THREE
Mon 30th Nov: Monday morning week 7 of pre-season, the boys are pumped for a big week of training. This is immediately evident in the gym. Plenty of testosterone flying around, the Force boys are very vocal and the music is pumping. Although if anyone is going for a personal best on the bench press the music is paused and everyone in the gym stops talking, a hush comes over the crowd and the fellow members watch in anticipation.
HARRY'S HOUSE - NUMBER TWO
Mon 23 Nov: GOLF DAY AT THE VINES. Midday shotgun start. Beautiful course, very hot day and a lot of expectation on the 1st tee. These days are set up for all the major sponsors of the force to have 18 holes with an EWF squad member. As well as to get either their mates, fellow business partners or suppliers/ customers along to have some fun or win the great prizes and bragging rights on offer.
WELCOME TO HARRY'S HOUSE
It's Week 6 of pre-season training. I must apologise for this being my first instalment but as you’re about to find out I have had my hands pretty full.
The first two weeks were intense but very rewarding. It was immediately evident that this was a no nonsense squad of players who were ready to roll up their sleeves. During this period I was bunking down with long time friend and team mate Brett "the Shetland Pony" Sheehan, in Cottesloe. He was a great room mate. What a great spot to live and get to know Perth. Very laid back life style.
The next three weeks weren't so laid back. Here's a blow-by-blow account:
