Percy picks up the pace for S14
Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:37
Springbok World Cup hero Percy Montgomery has once again been left out of the Western Province team for Saturday's Currie Cup clash with the Boland Cavaliers, but he is hard at work getting himself into shape.
The fullback is enjoying an extended break from action, following a busy few months playing and has regularly been seen working hard in the gym, as he tries to get himself in the best possible condition for next season.
While Province coach Allister Coetzee has not ruled out using the 34-year-old in the remaining weeks of the Currie Cup, he has confirmed that the long term goal is to get 'Monty' in top condition for next year's Super 14 challenge.
Coetzee has worked with Montgomery for a long time, especially in his previous role as backline coach for the Springboks, and says just having the experience star around has been a benefit.
Now though, getting him back into the right kind of condition remains their top goal.
"Percy has experience that you really can't buy," Coetzee told rugby365.com.
"You can see he's refreshed, he's feeling strong again, he's getting his pace back. Come the Super 14 next year he's be in good nick again.
"You know they say players are over the hill – not at all - once he's rested well and he's worked on his pace, his aerobic pace and his anaerobic pace and strength, and then he's a rejuvenated player again. And what I'm expecting is similar to when we got him into the Boks in 2004."
By Peter Murison
