Capras ready to rumble

Tevita Jurgensen (left) and Malcolm Darkin are ready for action during the Capras first training session for the 2012 QRL season last night.

Chris Ison Rokccapras

WHEN the new board took over there were a number of priority items on the agenda and high on that list was the change from the CQ Comets to the Central Queensland Capras.

Reasons behind the change include ensuring the identity of the club, with the CQ sporting community, is focused on success.

The Capras were successful under coach John Harbin.

Now with Harbin at the helm for the 2012 season the club is again officially known as the CQ Capras.

It was thought the changeover of names would be the easy part of the procedure but a few technicalities first had to be addressed.

However, a press release from the club confirms the Comets are no more and rugby league at the highest level, at least at this stage, is in the hands of the Capras.

A couple of weeks ago chairman Steve McCosker outlined the business plan that will take the club from the brink of financial extinction to a far healthier place.

With the name changed and the administration working towards a brighter future, the final, and most crucial, piece of the jigsaw is the football team.

Last night at Rockhampton State High School it was a chance to take a first look at the young playing group who intend to raise the club Harbin has promised it will not be easy but has also stated any lack of success on the field will not be due to problems in motivation.

There was certainly no lack of motivation last night as about 40 players went through their paces under the head coach.

The master motivator had promised to work the players using movement that would simulate match situations.

However, the session began with the players divided between the coaching staff.

The most physical work out was under former NRL player Justin Loomans who introduced a bit of cross-training with his group donning the boxing gloves.

The first session of the new season is always interesting as there are no certainties who will be turning up to have a go.

Local stars Tyron Haynes (moved to the Gold Coast), Dallas Williams (retired), Guy Williams (playing in France until mid-2012) and Chris Gesch (now with the Mackay Cutters) are no longer at the club and that left Alan Rothery who automatically took a senior player role to lead one of the groups.

Rothery was one of a small group of players at the session who had earned the right to wear Comets training colours during 2011.