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- Apr 17, 2013
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NRL 2015: Bronco Sam Thaiday says he was ?knackered? by end of last season
Holy shit, he's lost some serious weight
BRONCOS enforcer Sam Thaiday says the club’s off-season overhaul has given him a new lease on life after battling physical and mental exhaustion in 2014. As the Broncos this morning returned to the training track for the first time in 2015, the 29-year-old revealed World Cup and Four Nations campaigns in back-to-back seasons had left him desperate for time away from the game.
The club’s Four Nations contingent only reported for pre-season duty today, but with master coach Wayne Bennett back in Brisbane to oversee a new-look roster including star recruits Anthony Milford and Adam Blair, Thaiday said he was primed to lead a Broncos premiership assault.
Sam Thaiday gets in some work in the boxing gym.
“I was over it (at the end of last season). I was pretty knackered once I finished and I really needed that break this year. I’m glad I’ve done that now and I’m ready to get back into training for 2015,” Thaiday said.
“Last year was a big year and it all pretty much rolled in from the (2013) World Cup into the season. State of Origin was another level up again last year (so) I was absolutely stuffed and was more than happy to kick the feet up for a couple of weeks and needed that break just to let the body rest and recover.
“It’s good to see some of these young guys out there running around and (I’m) looking forward to getting the chance to have a run with them now and see how they go in game situations as well.
Broncos forward Sam Thaiday after the Broncos first 2015 training session. Picture: Claudia Baxter Source: News Corp Australia
“It’s a new club. It’s got that feel about it, not just because of the coaching staff but some of these young players we’ve got, some of our under-20s that have been promoted because of the success of their season last year as well.
“It’s good to have young kids around and they really bring a bit of a vibe and make things more enthusiastic around the joint.”
After spending time at prop over the past few seasons, Thaiday looks set to reunite with Corey Parker and Matt Gillett in Brisbane’s back row this year.
He said he hoped freedom on the fringes would also allow for more playing time under Bennett.
Sam Thaiday at the Broncos first training session of the new year at Purtell Park. Picture: Claudia Baxter Source: News Corp Australia
“People might not know it, I’m a pretty smart player; I’d much prefer to run at smaller people than large people so if I can get out on an edge and run at a halfback that’d be fine with me.
“I’d like to play a few more minutes this year on the field so if I can only get one trial in or maybe play the All Stars or the last trial in the UK that’ll be plenty enough for me and I’d much prefer to go into round 1 against South Sydney feeling fresh and feeling fit and ready to go for the year.”
The 24-Test veteran admitted he was still in the dark over the Broncos captaincy conundrum, with Parker and Justin Hodges also vying for the top job.
“Wayne doesn’t give anything away. That’s Wayne’s pick at the end of the day.”
Holy shit, he's lost some serious weight
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