Rugby: All Blacks out to impress at first national camp under new coach Scott Robertson

As incoming coach Scott Robertson runs his eye over returning All Blacks at his first camp, the players have been eager to impress their new boss, with many performing superhuman feats on the training paddock and in the gym.

Over in a dark corner of the weightroom, a crowd gathers around prop Fletcher Newell, who has stacked the squat bar with 20kg plates. He's successful with his first attempt, estimated at more than 300kg, then ups the ante, slapping another 20kg on each end.

Spotted by loose forward Luke Jacobson (in socks!) and prop Tamaiti Williams on either side, with fellow front-rower Ethan de Groot behind him, Newell bends deep into his squat, but can't quite complete the lift, as his mates bail him out. 

Still, Newell, often used off the bench by previous All Blacks coach Ian Foster, has proved his point.

With a few extra weeks since the World Cup ended in October, the players are not back at their Super Rugby franchises yet, but have clearly not overindulged in Christmas cheer over their break, reporting to national camp in prime condition.

"Fit, ready and some good tans," assessed Robertson. "They've had a really good break, and the World Cup cycle and the extra little bit of time for them has been really valuable.

"They've come back with some good PBs [personal bests] and no flags. That's what you look for, someone who has a couple of extras, but everyone's in great nick.

"The boys have owned that period of time and come back fresh."

Another player to further enhance his burgeoning reputation is halfback Cam Roigard, who pushed Aaron Smith hard for his No.9 jersey at the World Cup and seems destined to inherit that position, now the veteran has moved on.

Roigard has reportedly wowed his teammates with a 4m 12s 'Bronco', equalling Beauden Barrett's team record for the standard 1.2km shuttle run. 

"We had fitness testing yesterday and everyone hit their numbers, which was good," reflected utility back Damian McKenzie. "Obviously, summer is a good time to catch up with family and refresh from a big year last year.

"The boys came back and hit their numbers, did what they needed to do. It's always a pretty nervous time of the year on the first day back, but everyone's in pretty good shape."

As incoming coach Scott Robertson runs his eye over returning All Blacks at his first camp, the players have been eager to impress their new boss, with many performing superhuman feats on the training paddock and in the gym.

Over in a dark corner of the weightroom, a crowd gathers around prop Fletcher Newell, who has stacked the squat bar with 20kg plates. He's successful with his first attempt, estimated at more than 300kg, then ups the ante, slapping another 20kg on each end.

Spotted by loose forward Luke Jacobson (in socks!) and prop Tamaiti Williams on either side, with fellow front-rower Ethan de Groot behind him, Newell bends deep into his squat, but can't quite complete the lift, as his mates bail him out. 

Still, Newell, often used off the bench by previous All Blacks coach Ian Foster, has proved his point.

With a few extra weeks since the World Cup ended in October, the players are not back at their Super Rugby franchises yet, but have clearly not overindulged in Christmas cheer over their break, reporting to national camp in prime condition.

"Fit, ready and some good tans," assessed Robertson. "They've had a really good break, and the World Cup cycle and the extra little bit of time for them has been really valuable.

"They've come back with some good PBs [personal bests] and no flags. That's what you look for, someone who has a couple of extras, but everyone's in great nick.

"The boys have owned that period of time and come back fresh."

Another player to further enhance his burgeoning reputation is halfback Cam Roigard, who pushed Aaron Smith hard for his No.9 jersey at the World Cup and seems destined to inherit that position, now the veteran has moved on.

Roigard has reportedly wowed his teammates with a 4m 12s 'Bronco', equalling Beauden Barrett's team record for the standard 1.2km shuttle run. 

"We had fitness testing yesterday and everyone hit their numbers, which was good," reflected utility back Damian McKenzie. "Obviously, summer is a good time to catch up with family and refresh from a big year last year.

"The boys came back and hit their numbers, did what they needed to do. It's always a pretty nervous time of the year on the first day back, but everyone's in pretty good shape."

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