The Rats pose with the ‘new club sponsors’ prior to training, unaware that these men were in fact members of an elite military unit who were about to push them to their limits. BACK L-R Elliott Foils, Edward Doyle, Ryan Trbojevich, Peter Cullum (trainer), Ben Adams, ‘Spud’ (military), Josh Holmes, Jack Tomkins, Nick Seymour, Matt Hastie, Nick Hughes-Clapp, Scott Bradley, Vincent Wright Michael Kovacic, Jordan Reid, Dylan Smouha, Pierce Howell. FRONT L-R ‘Rod’ (military), ‘Tim’ (military), Sam Harris (Head Coach), Conrad Gillingham, Mark Porpiglia, Dan Harris (S&C) Tim Donlan (front), Michael Adams, Jake Butcher, Ethan Borula, Luke Preston. Photos: Karen Watson

by Brendan Bradford –

When Warringah players showed up to Pittwater Park last Saturday afternoon they expected a regular training session followed by a lavish dinner at a restaurant owned by the team’s new sponsors. Over 14-hours later after countless sit-ups and push-ups in the sand, frog marches down the beach, very little food and less sleep, the 22 drowned Rats must have been wondering why they ever picked up a rugby ball at all.

Looks of disbelief as reality sets in when players are told what is in store. L-R: Jack Tomkins, Mark Porpiglia, Vincent Wright and Josh Holmes, ‘Rod’ (military), ‘Spud’ (military), ‘Tim’ (military)

The three ‘sponsors’ who watched the initial training session turned out to be members of an elite military unit who would take them on an extreme military style training session throughout the night. Starting at 6pm Saturday and finishing 8am the next morning, the session was coach Sam Harris’ idea to test the players’ physical and mental boundaries as part of the Rats’ plans to dominate the 2013 Shute Shield season.

“It really was sprung on them” said Harris.

“We’re well and truly in the festive season and guys probably had plans to meet up with mates and everything else, but we made it clear that if they want to play for the club, they’d have to sacrifice a few things.”

All 22 players were specifically selected for the session which was set up by Harris and assistant coach Peter Cullum.

Coach Sam Harris contacting parents and partners to inform them the Rats won’t be coming home

“I’d done similar things as a player” Harris said, referring to the three day training camps with three hours sleep per-night of his professional days.

“We had lunch with the three military guys and planned it all out – they’d done one of the NRL teams the week before so it was good for us to get a litmus test of where we’re at.”

As the ‘warm up’ began at Rat Park (30-second reps of full body presses) Mark Porpiglia kissed a sorry goodbye to his planned birthday celebrations while Matt Hastie – invited for ‘a run at training’ by mate Josh Holmes – must have been seriously reconsidering that friendship.

“It was just disbelief at that stage” recalls club co-captain Ed Doyle.

“Even in that push-up position at the beginning we were like ‘So…we’re not going out for ribs?’ Then the rumours started that we were going to be there till nine in the morning and you didn’t really have time to think. It was just disbelief and hatred for Sam, who was just standing in the corner with a cheeky grin.”

Animosity towards Harris didn’t just come from the players either. As the ‘warm up’ continued, the coach phoned parents, wives and girlfriends to tell them the boys weren’t coming home.

“Sam had a few interesting phone calls” said Doyle.

“The mothers were really worried, the dads thought it was funny and the girlfriends didn’t believe him. One girlfriend thought all the boys were just on the piss and it was an elaborate lie, so Sam had to take a photo of us training and send it to her.”

‘Rod’ puts the Rats through a ‘warm up’, 5 full body planks holding for 30 secs while giving them instructions on what was in store for the long night ahead

As the cold, rainy night wore on and the reality of their situation sunk in, players were pushed to their physical and mental breaking points. In between the burpees, marching drills and lugging IRBs from North Narrabeen to Collaroy – and back – all while unable to talk, they were given mental challenges including a Q&A, memory tests and following instructions via non-verbal clues like clapping.

“It was all about mental toughness and they just broke you down” said Doyle.

10.15pm. The Rats pile under their temporary shelter and enjoy their rations of 1 small tin of baked beans. L-R: Michael Adams, James Casey (rear), Conrad Gillingham

Through the entire 14-hour ordeal, the Rats had just two opportunities to sleep. After being forced to construct makeshift shelters using items they were carrying or wearing, the players settled down – first at midnight, and again at 2am – in damp trenches for some rest. They were woken up after barely 15-minutes respite and the whole thing started over again.

Food consisted of four bananas and a small can of cold baked beans each and a dry Vienna loaf of bread to share.

“You’re just thinking ‘I’d kill for a can or coke, or anything really’” said Doyle

“Plus we were told we were going out for a nice dinner and good a night. It was the world’s biggest stitch up!”

By 4:30am, as the surfers were starting to hit the waves at Narrabeen and Doyle had overcome the urge to stage a mutiny, the sun was rising and the finish line was in sight.

“Your spirits got lifted when the sun came up, but then the chafing kicked in” laughed Doyle.

“A few of the boys were just in their undies at the end.”

4.15am. Sunrise and the Rats are still in training, water & rope drills. L-R: Michael Kovacic, Tim Donlan, Matt Hastie (obscured), James Casey (running), Ben Adams, Ethan Borula, Michael Adams, Nick Hughes-Clapp

The enormity of what they’d achieved only began to sink in after they had jogged back to Rat Park and were getting stuck into a much needed BBQ breakfast.

“Looking back, I’m really glad we did it” said Doyle.

“I wouldn’t do it again and no one enjoyed it at the time, but the feeling you got after it was really positive. One of the best things I’ve done I’d say.”

4.30am. After 10 hours Edward Doyle pushes through the physical pain & exhaustion during the sand drills

After an understandably shaky start, Harris was very impressed with the performance of the entire squad – particularly Josh Holmes whose constant chatter kept spirits high right through the night.

“They definitely exceeded my expectations” Harris said.

“Early on guys were a bit fragile, only because they didn’t know how long it was going to go for. But after the initial three or four hours they went into shut down mode and did what they had to do to get to the finish.”

“All of them – all 1 to 23 – in one way shape or form over the last five days have thanked me for the experience.”

The Rats get a much deserved break over Christmas and will return for the 2013 season bigger, fitter, stronger and warier than ever about accepting dinner offers from Sam Harris.