Blues go old school for pre season training

The preparations for New Zealand's Rebel Sport Super 14 teams has gone up a notch, with Blues coach Pat Lam taking his team through a military style training session earlier this week.

With most Super 14 squads now fully re-assembled barring injured players, the three times champions went through a “Navy Seal” type exercise regime. They were given a gruelling 18 minute run through Devonport's Ngartaringa Bay.

The holidays are well and truly over!

All Black lock Ali Williams, who has recovered from his Achilles tendon surgery which laid him off for most of 2009, was thrown into the deep end, literally and figuratively.

"It was pretty tricky, it didn't lie," he told TVNZ.

The Blues came ninth last year and only won five matches out of 13. It was their equal second worst finish in Super rugby competition, and clearly the early message coming from the team is that they are prepared to put in the hard yards to add to their five semi final appearances.

Pat Lam was happy to build as to the purpose of the exercise.

"We wanted something that was challenging, not only physically but mentally," Lam said.

"It is also about team building and the boys had a hard session this morning and then came here to finish it off. So it's been a tough day for them but they're working hard and working well and that's what we're after."

The Blues kick off their 2010 campaign hosting last year’s semi finalists the Hurricanes at Eden Park.