Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 06, 2009 News
By Rawle Welch
West Indies rugby captain Claudius Butts told Kaieteur Sport in an interview yesterday that training sessions in preparations for the IRB Sevens Series in Hong Kong is going well and his fitness is around 75 per cent right now.
Butts, one of four Guyanese on a provisional squad selected for the tournament has been working along with scrum half Albert La Rose under the guidance of fitness trainer Cornel Millington at the National Park, before they leave for a two-week camp in Barbados.
The tall agile winger speaking on behalf of both players disclosed that the sessions were coming along well and they are presently training three days per week and plans to increase that to five from next week.
“We are currently working out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and some of the things we’ve been doing include speed drills, leg strengthening and a lot of abdominal exercises,” Butts revealed. He added that at the moment they are very satisfied with their level of fitness and they both intend to go to the camp at around the same level.
“We must bear in mind that the tournament is a little over one month from now and to peak too early might not be the right thing to do,” Butts said.
The WI Captain, who is enjoying his fifth selection on the squad, is widely regarded as one of the veterans on the team and he acknowledged that he will have to play an influential role during the upcoming tournament scheduled for March.
“I’ve had a lot of exposure playing extensively in the Caribbean, a few times in the USA and more recently in Uruguay and all this collective experience have made me a better player and someone who is able to react to situations faster than many.”
Butts and La Rose will be joined by fellow Guyanese Kevin McKenzie and Richard Staglon during the Barbados camp, before they return home and leave shortly after for Canada where they will spend three days.
Whilst in Canada, the West Indians will engage the national team in some contact and non-contact games and then move onto Hong Kong.
He also recognised the admirable commitment and dedication that La Rose has shown and was confident that the player will attend the gathering in Barbados in excellent shape.
Butts disclosed that they are being guided by a programme sent to them by WI Coach Joe Whipple and was adhering to it.
Meanwhile, he expressed thanks to the Under-19 squad for coming out and providing valuable practice for them that included game simulations.
“It was good to see them come out and offer some precious game practice for us and for this we are fully appreciative,” Butts commented. Another such scenario is planned for tomorrow.
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