Perth Glory and Qantas Wallabies join forces

A few familiar faces have joined Perth Glory’s Tour of South Africa with the Qantas Wallabies checking into the same Durban hotel.

A few familiar faces have joined Perth Glory’s Tour of South Africa with the Qantas Wallabies checking into the same Durban hotel.

With the Wallabies facing South Africa in a Tri-Nations Rugby Test on Saturday night, the two teams will be based together all week.

“The Wallabies have already made an impression,” Perth Glory defender Bas van den Brink said.

“Simply by their size and numbers.”

Perth Glory’s coaching team will watch the Wallabies train on Thursday, while the squad will go to the test against the Springboks on the weekend.

“Several of the boys know each other through the Western Force and because our training head quarters are next door to the Force in Perth,” van den Brink added.

“It’s great to have the Wallabies here with us, it’s a good chance to see an Australian national team up close.

“They will definitely have our support this week and for the upcoming World Cup.”

After a rest day on Sunday, it was back to work on Monday for Perth Glory with the squad put through their toughest session on tour so far.

A two and a half hour ball and running work-out was followed by a recovery session at the beach before the squad hit the gym in the afternoon.

“The work loads have been planned to compliment the games we are playing,” Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson said.

“After two games last week, we have just the one game this week so the work load will be increased.”

And it’s a schedule the players are responding to.

“The facilities are great and we’ve had two very good games,” van den Brink added.

“So far, so good.

“The boys are bonding well and training hard.

“We are not here for a holiday.”