DUBBO’S Beau Robinson and his Queensland Reds teammates have begun preparations for their Super Rugby title defence with the start of pre-season training.
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The group returned on Monday, with Robinson particularly fresh following a four-week tour of the United States coaching rugby at various schools and colleges.
Travelling around in an RV, Robinson visited New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Arizona, Boston, Dallas and Las Vegas but admitted a trip to the Westpoint Military Academy was the highlight.
“Westpoint has been seen in a heap of movies and its rugby facility is worth $14 million and it’s right on the Hudson River,” Robinson said.
“The standard is pretty good over there. Everywhere I went there was one or two players that were really talented which was a bit of a shock because rugby isn’t huge in America.
“They have a lot of different competitions over there and every one of them is played at a different standard but it was just good to see what they do and how they do it, and also help them out with some coaching.
“I made some good contacts over there and I would like to go back again and do some more of that type of work.”
As defending champions, the Reds will go from the hunter to the hunted in 2012 and Robinson knows the task of going back-to-back will not be an easy one.
The Reds haven’t made any major signings for 2012 but will be without the services of fly-half Quade Cooper, who required surgery after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament during the World Cup.
“This year isn’t going to be easy,” Robinson said.
“When you are the champions you are the team everyone wants to beat and we will know that every team will be out to get us this year.
“Last year we really rode a wave of home support in Brisbane, especially through the finals and hopefully those supporters will be back this year and a few more will come along.”
Part of Robinson’s briefing this pre-season will be to recruit more members to the franchise from his home area of Dubbo and Bathurst.
Even though it may be hard for people from this area to get to matches, Robinson said there was something for everybody.
“We’re all having a bit of a competition to see who can get the most members for the Reds and I’m hoping I can pinch some from home to join up,” he said. “Not all of the memberships are for matches or anything like that because it can be hard to get to games.
“We have merchandise packs for fans that can’t get to games so they can still show their support as well.
“If anyone is interested they can go to www.redsrugby.com.au and my individual code is PRD24. Hopefully I can win the competition we are having within the playing group.”
