Photo's from todays events

Panoramic veiws of the RAF IDRC squad, the Sydney Opera house and bridge.

Our version of the 'offical' photo.

RAFRU IDRC squad Captain Flt Lt Jonathan Hall officially meets Gen Hurley (Australian CDF)

Opening Ceremony

Lloyd Owen outside back extraordinaire and Rhys Williams specialist utility front row (hooker) here blogging about our second full day in Australia.  Today started early with a trip to Sydney.  Our first stop was Mrs Macquires chair for a team photo.  On the way in we managed to squeeze in a little property auction with the proceeds going in to the tour kitty and leaving Josh McNally $25 down due to him being an absolute admin vortex.  All six teams based in Sydney were there to have there photos taken in front of the Sydney opera house and Sydney harbour bridge although none looked as essensence as the RAF Welsh contingent!

Then it was back on the bus for a quick tour of Sydney, it was just a shame Lance Tallet had better patter than the driver/tour guide.  The next stop was Sydney Cricket Ground (SGC) where a reception was held for the six Sydney based teams to declare the IDRC officially open by General Hurley.  That was then followed by a buffet of epic proportion; thankfully Lance was fed in the stable to keep the mess to a minimum.  The tour of the SCG and Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) was made extra enjoyable by our extremely fruity tour guide.  This concluded our day in Sydney and it was back time to head back to RAAF Glenbrook.  Out next point of call was the Sgt’s mess for their ‘pay day raffle’ and nibbles.  Training started at Penrith stadium under flood lights.  The standard of work was greatly improved from yesterday we even witnessed sidesteps from certain people!  We then returned to a hearty BBQ under the watchfully eye of a possum and huntsman spider (see below).  It was a good day had by all we even managed to get a few smiles out of the head coach!  Thank you and goodnight.

Hi, this is Tom Gardener, utility back and Tim Coughlan specialist front row giving the first players blog of the IDRC 2011. We aim to give a player perspective of the competition and we can only hope to emulate Eric’s fine literature style!

We’re still not 100% from the journey; Josh Mcnally’s legs have only just stopped swelling over his boots, Lloyds head is slowly returning to its normal shape, however Lance’s head is still swollen.  Our recovery is being aided by the fantastic facilities here at RAAF Glenbrook, especially with a excellent breakfast this morning, some very dapper attire is being sported by the boys in the Officers Mess however, how long some of the attire will fit is questionable as Rory ‘2 Puds’ Wood lived up to his name.

After breakfast we set off for our first full days training session at Penrith Rigby Club Football Club.  Excellent efforts and positive attitude helped us move on to set pieces and backs moves.  The forwards took an intense and physical scrimmage session, where competition for places proved to be fierce.  Josh ‘Prosthetic leg’ McNally decided he wasn’t cut out for the tight five and went to watch the backs.  Our ¾’s started putting the pieces together for what will prove to be some effective strike moves in the IDRC.  The team collectively worked on defence, which we will use this season as a weapon to put us on the front foot.  As a reward for our efforts the coaching staff allowed us an hour in Penrith Westfield Plaza.  Unfortunately 5 boys were late back to the bus, the stench of punishment now hangs heavy in the air.

After another fine meal in the Glenbrook Officers Mess we held a team meeting.  The itinerary for the next few days was covered and levels of commitment expected of us.  There are fixed feelings of apprehension and excitement in the air now as the reality of our first fixture against PNG looms ahead.  Everyone is eager to play and desperate to be in the starting 15.  Dave Hankinson also introduced a morale boosting game called ‘the waiting’.  

Finally here!

The squad finally arrive this morning bright and early into Sydney only to find the baggage handlers on strike! After a short delay they arrived at RAAF Glenbrook and were welcomed by the base commander and the LO's following room allocations and a quick change it was then time for lunch in the combined dinning hall in the Officer Mess. This was then followed by a 2 hr 'light' training sessions lead by the coaching team of Tug Wilson (Head Coach), Paul (Fish) Fisher (forwards coach) and Jason Brown (backs coach) not bad for a group of player that had spent 36 hrs travelling here with little to no sleep!

A short trip by the coaching and management team to check out our main training area was then followed by a very quick trip to the shops to buy the essentials then back to the mess for dinner. Early to bed for most of the player tonight as they will need there rest for tomorrow the first of many full on training sessions!!

RAAF Base Glenbrook awaits the RAFRU IDRC Squad's arrival

Within the next 24hrs the main party is due to arrive in Sydney for onward travel to RAAF Glenbrook, the base is relatively small and is home to the RAAF Air Command HQ. The base personnel are all looking forward to the squad’s arrival which does seem to be the talk of the place!

Shortly after their expected arrival they will be given various briefings first by Gp Capt Grigson a very experienced officer and avid rugby supporter and former player himself who has experienced the 'British' way of life first hand having served as an exchange officer at units including RAF Innesworth. The squad will be introduced to the three liaison officers who will continue with the local briefings before we expect to break for lunch. Shortly after that it is expected that the head coach Tug Wilson will then start off as he means to go on by taking the first of many training sessions, a matter of hours after their arrival and at least 34 hrs since there journey began.

Advanced party arrives

Well finally got here after leaving RAF Cosford on Monday and arrived at 1930hrs on Wednesday evening local time. I was picked up by one of our three RAAF liaison officers Flt Lt Jason Wirth who kindly showed me around Sydney at night and then we drove back the approximately 35 mins to RAAF Glenbrook which is situated high on the first mountain as you head towards the Blue Mountains.

Woke up this morning to wonderful sunshine, only to be told it's due to rain over the weekend! Never mind a 2.30hrs meeting with Jason proven very useful to iron out a couple of issues and also uncover a few others however the scenery from the officers mess is simply breathtaking!

Take a look:

A first look at the new kit for real!

Preview of the new RAFRU IDRC players shirt modelled by no other than our very own John Hall!

Advance party due to depart

The advance party for the Royal Air Force Rugby Union squad is due to depart to Australia early next week in order to prepare the way for the main party a week later. The competition will pit twelve teams from ten different nations in what is being billed as the first International Defence Rugby World Cup. The teams include the Australian, French, New Zealand, Tonga, South African & Papua New Guinea Defence Forces, People's Liberation Army of China, Samoa Police & the Australian Federal Police teams whilst not forgetting our very own sister services the Royal Navy and British Army. So although numerically the UK armed forces have a great chance of success they are the only single service representatives from any of the nations entering the competition.