Welcome to Chapter 2 of ‘Jake’s Kangaroos diary’.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles prop Jake Trbojevic is writing a diary about his first Australian Kangaroos trip.
Today, Jake talks the long flight to England and his few first days in Manchester.
The Kangaroos play Scotland in their first match in Hull this Saturday (6am AEDT) where Jake is tipped to make his Test debut.
Jake’s Kangaroos Diary
Wednesday, October 19
Following the morning off, we had a training run at 4pm in Perth. It was a hard field session with a bit of conditioning and some games.
We followed it up with a weights session at the Fremantle Dockers gymnasium.
It was then off for a team dinner at the nice Little Creatures Establishment. We had to stay up all night so we could fall asleep next morning on the flight to the UK, so we hopefully get straight into England time.
Thursday, October 20
Nothing like a 3.30am bus trip to Perth Airport for a 6am flight to England to get you going. It was the first time I’ve ever flown business class. Wow, what an experience!
The first leg of the flight from Perth to Dubai took 11 hours. We stopped at Dubai Airport and I couldn’t believe how big the airport was. It is massive.
The final leg from Dubai to Manchester Airport took a further seven hours. I was pretty tired after a long day. We arrived at 7.30pm England time.
Apart from some light hearted banter on the long flight with my team-mates, I watched the film ‘Now You Can See Me 2’, Modern Family, and plenty of Two and A Half Men!
Friday, October 21
Today was a recovery day following the long flight. Our recovery session was held at the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance Centre, an unbelievable facility.
The session comprised of hot and cold baths, foam rollers and stretching.
I also had to climb in to a cryotherapy chamber where I stood, in a controlled temperature of minus 120 degrees Celsius, for two and a half minutes. It was freezing to say the least. All I could think of was the warm sunny conditions back at Mona Vale Beach to get me through it! It was a very long 2 and a half minutes in there!
The session then finished with a massage.
We had the afternoon off and I got the chance to walk around Manchester. This is my first time in England, so everything is new and exciting to me.
The day ended with a team dinner at the lovely Sapporo Teppanyaki Restaurant in Manchester.
Saturday, October 22
We have moved our base to St George’s Park. My room-mate is North Queensland’s Origin and Test prop Matt Scott. He is a good bloke and what an opportunity for me to just talk footy and to learn from one of the game’s best forwards.
I’m also hanging out with Aaron Woods and David Klemmer. Both guys are very funny and laid back blokes. I’ve known ‘Klem’ for a fair while now from our junior rep footy days together.
Woodsy was a mad Sea Eagles fan growing up. I might just have to just keep telling him how good of a lifestyle it is on the Northern Beaches and what he is missing out on!
Until next time, remember become a 2017 Manly Member and I'll see you at 'Fortress Brookie'
Cheers, Jake
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Kangaroos Four Nations tournament
October 29 — Australia vs. Scotland, KC Lightstream Stadium (Hull), 7:00am AEDT
November 6 — New Zealand vs. Australia, Ricoh Arena (Coventry), 7:00am AEDT
November 14 — England vs. Australia, London Olympic Stadium (London), 1:00am AEDT
November 21 — Four Nations Final TBC, Anfield (Liverpool), 1:30am AEDT
