IRANZ launches NZ's first-ever Rugby Player Combine

IRANZ is proud to announce the launch of New Zealand’s first-ever Rugby Combine, with the IRANZ Pro-Player Combine to be held from 29 November – 1 December 2018.

Combines are commonly used in competitions such as the NBA to identify talented athletes. Photo Credit: NBA

The Sports Combine concept is not widely understood here in New Zealand, although is well-established alongside overseas competitions. The NBA and NFL for example, use the events to identify promising athletes and future competitors.

The ‘Combine’ name comes from the style of the event, described as ‘a combination of certain sport-specific conditioning drills to determine speed, strength and skill level.’

IRANZ Managing Director and Former All Black No. 8 Murray Mexted points to the depth of New Zealand Rugby as the reason for introducing the new concept.

“There is a surplus of talented players here in New Zealand. Many are capable of playing at a higher level, but fail to get their ‘big break’. These individuals are often stuck behind other players gaining selection or winning the starting jersey in representative teams.”

“Ultimately the Combine is an opportunity for these players to access an independent avenue to gain exposure, and receive a qualified assessment of their current ability & capacity to achieve a professional career as a player.”

While the Pro-Player Combine will feature the general Strength and Conditioning indicators you would expect on a programme of this sort, it will also include an assessment of each player’s individual strengths and weaknesses in their position, from one of IRANZ’s Position-Specific Specialists.

Pictured: Former All Black winger Jeff Wilson works with players on a Player Course. IRANZ Staff Coaches and Position-Specific Specialists often feature a range of professional coaches and Former International players.

Staff Coaches to attend the Combine will be no different to any other IRANZ Course, with Former All Blacks and professional coaches prominent among the Position-Specific Specialists and tutors.

Male players aged 18+ years are encouraged to apply, particularly those with ambition to achieve a professional career in rugby. Both domestic and international applications are being accepted.

One player attending the Pro-Player Combine will also be awarded a full Scholarship to attend the High Performance Players Course to be held early next year.

Learn more about the IRANZ Pro-Player Combine.