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Wests Tigers players have gone to extraordinary lengths to be fit enough for Friday’s clash
EXHAUSTED and dehydrated, Wests Tigers players have gone to extraordinary lengths this week just to run out for tonight’s clash against South Sydney after only four full days of recovery.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal how the club managed their roster after players had to endure scorching 42 degree temperatures in last Sunday’s away match to Gold Coast.
Players regularly provided urine sample to show hydration levels and used a hi-tech Kinetic Athlete app each morning to provide the club’s high performance team with sleep patterns, tightness, hydration, key injury areas, muscle soreness, protein, and even relationships.
When players arrived at Concord later in the day, their training program had already been mapped out using information from the app.
Wests Tigers player James Gavet lost 3kg in his 49 minutes against the Titans.
“On the field it was 40 degrees,” Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter said. “It was very draining and some players lost 3kg.
They boast the equal best defence in the competition after two rounds and South Sydney fully expect it to be tested by Wests Tigers this Friday night.
“We had to download training this week. We are up against one of the stronger teams (at ANZ Stadium) and preparation is the key.
“Practice has been very limited — it’s all about recovery.’’
It can be revealed players:
* Provided regular urine sample to determine hydration levels.
* Weighed in pre-match and post match to determine how much weight they had lost.
* Used a mobile phone app every morning to reveal levels of discomfort.
* Were told to stretch and have compulsory ice baths.
* Wore recovery garments
* Took magnesium supplements.
* Had a light gym work-out on Tuesday to activate key muscles.
* Had 45 minute massages.
* Did not train any longer than one hour.
* Drank water and electrolytes.
* Told to swim on days off.
“Any level of dehydration worries me because it has a role in soft tissue injury,” Wests Tigers head physio Peter Moussa said.
“You don’t want blokes doing hamstrings or quads.
“Players were weighed pre and post game. If a player lost 2-3kg then he is severely dehydrated.”
Luke Portese, the club’s head of strength and conditioning, kept a close watch on player weights.
“We tested them again 48 hours after the game later to see how much they had lost and whether their body was back to the weight it was before the game,” he said.
“It has been a massive job getting them back on the paddock.”
Potter said his side was monitored throughout the week.
“On days off we encouraged them to go for a swim,’’ he said.
“It was about rest and recovery and having stretches.”
Asked about Gavet, Potter said: “That is a big amount to lose. We want to leave nothing to chance and don’t just want to think they’ll be okay.
“They have been drinking water and electrolytes. We want to be more proactive than reactive and know where blokes should be.
“We are getting the right data. It is in front of us so it isn’t guess work. We know the facts.”
NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg, said he would take into account last week’s heat when compiling next year’s schedule.
“We had everything from a near cyclone to a heatwave during last weekend’s round so it is very hard to predict weather at this time of year,” Greenberg said. “There are already very few day games in the first three weeks of the competition but if we need to tweak the draw further next year we will do so.
“We will continue to work with the clubs and broadcasters to try to avoid weather issues next year … but as I say, it’s tough to predict.”
HOW WESTS TIGERS MADE IT ONTO THE FIELD FOR FRIDAY’S CLASH
SUNDAY: Weigh-in after 42 degree game. Urine samples given to detect hydration levels. Some players lose three kilograms. Ice baths, hydration, stretching. Wear recovery garments for flight home. Take magnessium supplements.
MONDAY: Day off. Injured players monitored and assessed through Kinetic Athlete App. Players administed amino acids. Told to drink water and electrolytes.
TUESDAY: Additional urine samples given. Light gym work out to activate key muscles. Ice baths, stretches, 45 minute massage.
WEDNESDAY: Rest day but told to stretch and swim.
THURSDAY: Stretches, 30 minute captain’s run at ANZ Stadium.
FRIDAY: Game Day
EXHAUSTED and dehydrated, Wests Tigers players have gone to extraordinary lengths this week just to run out for tonight’s clash against South Sydney after only four full days of recovery.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal how the club managed their roster after players had to endure scorching 42 degree temperatures in last Sunday’s away match to Gold Coast.
Players regularly provided urine sample to show hydration levels and used a hi-tech Kinetic Athlete app each morning to provide the club’s high performance team with sleep patterns, tightness, hydration, key injury areas, muscle soreness, protein, and even relationships.
When players arrived at Concord later in the day, their training program had already been mapped out using information from the app.
Wests Tigers player James Gavet lost 3kg in his 49 minutes against the Titans.
“On the field it was 40 degrees,” Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter said. “It was very draining and some players lost 3kg.
They boast the equal best defence in the competition after two rounds and South Sydney fully expect it to be tested by Wests Tigers this Friday night.
“We had to download training this week. We are up against one of the stronger teams (at ANZ Stadium) and preparation is the key.
“Practice has been very limited — it’s all about recovery.’’
It can be revealed players:
* Provided regular urine sample to determine hydration levels.
* Weighed in pre-match and post match to determine how much weight they had lost.
* Used a mobile phone app every morning to reveal levels of discomfort.
* Were told to stretch and have compulsory ice baths.
* Wore recovery garments
* Took magnesium supplements.
* Had a light gym work-out on Tuesday to activate key muscles.
* Had 45 minute massages.
* Did not train any longer than one hour.
* Drank water and electrolytes.
* Told to swim on days off.
“Any level of dehydration worries me because it has a role in soft tissue injury,” Wests Tigers head physio Peter Moussa said.
“You don’t want blokes doing hamstrings or quads.
“Players were weighed pre and post game. If a player lost 2-3kg then he is severely dehydrated.”
Luke Portese, the club’s head of strength and conditioning, kept a close watch on player weights.
“We tested them again 48 hours after the game later to see how much they had lost and whether their body was back to the weight it was before the game,” he said.
“It has been a massive job getting them back on the paddock.”
Potter said his side was monitored throughout the week.
“On days off we encouraged them to go for a swim,’’ he said.
“It was about rest and recovery and having stretches.”
Asked about Gavet, Potter said: “That is a big amount to lose. We want to leave nothing to chance and don’t just want to think they’ll be okay.
“They have been drinking water and electrolytes. We want to be more proactive than reactive and know where blokes should be.
“We are getting the right data. It is in front of us so it isn’t guess work. We know the facts.”
NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg, said he would take into account last week’s heat when compiling next year’s schedule.
“We had everything from a near cyclone to a heatwave during last weekend’s round so it is very hard to predict weather at this time of year,” Greenberg said. “There are already very few day games in the first three weeks of the competition but if we need to tweak the draw further next year we will do so.
“We will continue to work with the clubs and broadcasters to try to avoid weather issues next year … but as I say, it’s tough to predict.”
HOW WESTS TIGERS MADE IT ONTO THE FIELD FOR FRIDAY’S CLASH
SUNDAY: Weigh-in after 42 degree game. Urine samples given to detect hydration levels. Some players lose three kilograms. Ice baths, hydration, stretching. Wear recovery garments for flight home. Take magnessium supplements.
MONDAY: Day off. Injured players monitored and assessed through Kinetic Athlete App. Players administed amino acids. Told to drink water and electrolytes.
TUESDAY: Additional urine samples given. Light gym work out to activate key muscles. Ice baths, stretches, 45 minute massage.
WEDNESDAY: Rest day but told to stretch and swim.
THURSDAY: Stretches, 30 minute captain’s run at ANZ Stadium.
FRIDAY: Game Day
