JUST BEHIND metres of black tarp designed to keep out prying eyes, the NRL NZ Warriors have turned Scully Park into a slice of home.
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It has been a tough start to training for the team who until now have been cooped up in their own backyards across the Tasman.
The Leader sat down with Warriors captain and fullback Roger "The Pin" Tuivasa-Sheck over video conference to talk about life in the country music capital.
"It's a different type of training, trying to train back home on your own, inside your house and in your little backyard," he said.
"Then you come here to Tamworth and Scully Park, a beautiful park as well, trying to run up and down, it's a lot."
Tuesday marked the team's first day of training, which has taken on a different look with the strict COVID-19 NRL and biosecurity protocols.
As the sun peaks over the hill at Scully Park, the first group of players has breakfast and works on their mobility before they get ready to get on the field.
I'm able to say hello to them as we walk by and we catch up, we're lucky to have a room where we can come together and just hang out.
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Like clockwork, the second team is up for their shift shortly after, Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"We're in the breakfast hall and then we leave to the gym and that group stays together, we pretty much move along like that in a little circuit," he said.
"I'm able to say hello to them as we walk by and we catch up, we're lucky to have a room where we can come together and just hang out.
"We're all a distance away but we can still chat amongst each other, it's all part of the job and we're doing whatever it takes."
The players have been in the gym working out two-to-three times a day, rowing and stretching.
Others use the time to catch up with family in their downtime to keep occupied.
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At this stage the boys are just excited to be around each other, but it might be "a different scenario" two weeks into isolation, Tuivasa-Sheck said.
"For us it's more of an exciting time, we've all been in lockdown for the last four weeks back in New Zealand so we're here in Australia finally seeing each other," he said.
"We're finally hanging out as a group again."
The team arrived in Tamworth on Sunday night and are hopeful for a May 28 NRL season restart.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
