Was he only 21 stone. I'm not being funny but he looked more than that to me. He will have a great season because his contract has one year to run and it's obvious he is making a big effort.

I can't see how Feka's game would be majorly effected if he did drop to the weight he was when he first signed.



At the end of the day the Feka we signed back then was a NZ international and he isn't anymore.

To be honest, I think all this theorising about what his ideal weight should be is a sign that we've nothing else to talk about.



Unless we're actually on the conditioning staff and have his medical records to hand, we're not really qualified to comment other than to say that he needed to lose some weight and get fitter, which he clearly has done.



Personally I'm excited to hear that the new coaches have got to grips with this problem very quickly. As someone else has said, if he's shed two stone in a month (with a month still to go before the season starts) and is regularly being sighted jogging up to Haigh Hall and back, that can only be a good sign.



I'm still bemused as to why this wasn't done before, but that is a different conversation, which we've already had several times previously.

Heard a rumour today that the players have been "cagefighting". Anyone else back this up? Surely not!

Surely that can't be fair on the cages?

Irrespective of his weight, and I really think he needs to lose some, I just hope the new conditioning team can get the best out of Feka this coming season, afterall Usain Bolt is 6' 5" and over 15st and he doesn't seem to do too badly.

But ask him to repeat his efforts in quick succession and watch him fade.



Bolt like Feka is very specialist and perfectly designed for what they do, you handle a specialist athlete incorrectly as I think we have in Feka and a major drop off in performance is inevitable.

No idea, but great training if they have.



"Cage Fighting" is a very emotive and mis-used term.



If the players have been learning the grappling aspects of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), then that is so far beyond the simple wrestling that a lot of teams use.



It teaches wrestling, but in an upright, fully dynamic position (i.e. the same position - standing - that they will be in on the field, and with an opponent who is trying to counter your attempts to take them down to the ground).



I would be all for the players being taught the grappling and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) aspects of MMA, and wouldn't be averse to them learning the striking game too, provided that injuries could be avoided.



The fitness levels required in MMA - Even for technical sparring (grappling/wrestling) for any period of time - are phenomenal. therefore, it would work on 3 main levels (probably many others):

1. Defensive Technique - Getting an opponent to the ground with minimal effort.

2. Attacking Technique - How to position your body to prevent your opponent from getting you to the ground (easily)

3. Stamina - The effort expended in practising just those "simple" drills is amazing. Worked regularly, the cardio levels could not but improve on whatever base level they are currently at.



Like I said at the top - I have no idea if it is true. But please, don't let the phrase "cage fighting" give you the idea that they are stuck in any kind of cage/ring and allowed to simply beat the snot out of each other (or anyone else). It is a highly developed area of excellence, requiring speed, strength, conditioning and above all else, technique.



Even if it's NOT true - The more I think about the positives, the more I think it would be an excellent addition to the training regime.

MMA wouldnt be beneficial, wrestling would but BJJ wouldnt as its back based. As far of useing it for fitness levels yes it would be good but not for technique.



I believe we employed a wrestling coach last year so cannot see this being true as its the only thing you need.

Any type of wrestling would be beneficial as it learns you top position and transitional dominance.



The pummel, a position used in wrestling, bjj and mma training is basicly the impact position of a tackle.



BJJ would be fantastic to learn as its about applying leverage to gain an advantage over a bigger stronger man, ie in a tackle. Also its completley knackering, and teaches you to conserve energy.

yeah but from a bottom position really, wrestling is from the top position.......cant see someopne tackling someone and trying to get position for an arm bar can you

LOL no im sure a armbar would result in a free kick, i meant more like hip escapes or side control pins, basic stuff, it also keeps things a little fresh as opposed to just doing the same training,



Greco roman would be great to learn, but there is a short supply of coaches in the area, so anything that others arnt doing is better, any way back on topic!



Just cos feka has lost a bit of timber dont mean he isnt going to be less effective, it could be argued he could be more, as obviously more fitness means more mins, and also basic physics, would you rather have a car drive over your foot at 5 miles an our, or a shot put dropped on your foot from waist height?



If he moves faster he can do more damage, force = mass x acceleration