Chiefs training impresses kids

Local junior tennis stars (from left) Lilian Maui, Andrew Terupe and Eva Patai check the Super 15 Chiefs rugby squad sweating it out on New Zealands Ohope beach on a wet and cold wintry day just two weeks ago.

The local trio were part of the 16-member touring tennis team that competed in the East Coast Poverty Bay Christmas Tennis Tournament after warming up at the Hamilton competition.

On a lunch break from the five-hour drive to Gisborne from Hamilton the touring group stopped at Ohope where the larger than life rugby stars were bare-chested and engaged in pre season training surf lifesaving style.

The local kids were encouraged by the parents on the tour to observe the training regime and see how tough it is for professional sports people.

As well as braving the cold, wet conditions in the Ohope surf, the Chiefs took to cycles and ground it out around the Ohiwa harbour valley area to Opotiki.

Keep an eye out for the Chiefs to be one of the fittest teams heading into the Super 15 season in 2012 and for the local junior tennis squad going from strength to strength through the year.