In anticipation of the International Rugby Coaching Conference that takes place this week, on Thursday, 23 July, TuksRugby tested their new scrum machine – the only load cell-instrumented scrum machine capable of providing three-dimensional force and moment data in South Africa.
The test took place at the High Performance Centre (hpc) earlier this week. In view of all the world class rugby coaches who will be attending the conference, the scrum machine’s research and development team (Prof Ernst Kruger of the Institute for Sports Research (ISR), Dr Helen Bayne (Head Biomechanist at the hpc) and Dr Cor-Jacques Kat from the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering) were all present during the tests to ensure the machine would function perfectly on the big day.
The star-studded list of speakers include Naas Botha (guest speaker, former Springbok captain and current rugby commentator); John Mitchell (former All Black and Lions coach), who will talk about attack and team dynamics; David Campese (former Wallaby International), who will talk about the role of the ‘back three’ in counter attack; Neil Powell (current Springbok Sevens coach); and Johan Ackerman (former Springbok lock and Lions coach) who will give a talk on lineout structures.
Prof Kruger is extremely excited about the fact that the scrum machine will finally be officially unveiled to the wider rugby public. It will be the ‘culmination of many tedious hours of research and development that went into its production,’ he said.
Conference details
Thursday 23 July 2015, Groenkloof Campus, University of Pretoria.
Click here for the complete programme and more information.
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