After spending most of the 2012 season sidelined with injury, Emirates Western Force prop Kieran Longbottom is looking to hit the ground running for the beginning of the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The powerful front-rower enjoyed a breakout season in 2011, where he played 14 matches and showcased his ability to work at both the set piece and around the ground.
The local Perth product played in each of the side’s opening eight matches of the 2012 season before a back injury sustained against the Waratahs left him on the long road to recovery.
However, the hardworking prop revisited some unconventional fitness training he experienced during the Emirates Western Force training to help him stay fit and leave him ready for the 2013 season.
“I got stuck into ZUU when it was brought over to us during pre-season last year,” he said. “It absolutely flogged us. It’s a total body workout. It’s just you and the floor, there’s nothing else involved.
“It’s called ZUU because it’s very animalistic. There are a lot of primal movements involved. It actually breaks your breathing, so it’s much harder than going for a run – it’s so much more intense.”
“You’re out there for a 45-minute session, and by the end of it you’re lying on the floor in puddles of sweat, completely spent. I thought it was the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Longbottom says the basic-yet-testing training assisted his recovery.
“After my injury there was some nerve damage down my arms and I was very weak in my right arm particularly,” he said. “Just being down on the floor, on your arms for the whole session, it forces the muscles to respond and the nerves to fire.
“It helped me with the stability in my shoulders and all through my neck. It definitely helped to get me back faster.”
With 30 Super Rugby caps to his name, Longbottom has been reinvigorated by the significant change at the Emirates Western Force over the off-season.
Not least of which has been the opportunity to work with new Head Coach and former Wallaby front-rower Michael Foley.
While he appreciates the competition for places in the front row alongside Wallabies Pek Cowan and Salesi Ma’afu, and rising stars Salesi Manu and Tetera Faulkner, Longbottom says the team dynamic within the Emirates Western Force is as strong as it’s ever been.
“This year it basically feels like we’re starting new,” he said. “The last fortnight has been the best two weeks of pre-season I’ve ever had.
“We’re working for each other more. If one of the boys’ standards is slipping, we’re calling him up on it. Everyone is looking towards those standards and making sure they are raised as high as they can be.
“It’s player driven. We’re doing it for ourselves and we’re doing it for the team.”
After five seasons with the Emirates Western Force, Longbottom is confident that the side can provide the Sea of Blue faithful with some improved performances in 2013.
“Our focus is on preparing better than ever before, so we know we’re going to perform better,” he said. “We’re going to play with a great game plan that everyone enjoys and wants to play.
“It feels like there’s more balance throughout the team and hopefully that’ll equate to more tries on the park and more wins on the board.
“It’s going to be a good year!”