Despite his charges raving about his more thorough approach, Blues coach Laurie Daley has played down his newfound disciplinarian tag.
"I don't know whether I've changed," Daley said from the Blues camp in Coffs Harbour on Friday, where the players were enjoying a well-earned rest day, including an afternoon go-karting session.
"I think it's a different environment for a start. Different environments creates different atmospheres and the boys have been tremendous – geez they've done some work.
"In the community, just everything we've put in front of them, they haven't whinged and complained. I hope they enjoy the day off because they've worked hard for three days."
"There are some things you still like to be in charge of but there are other roles that your assistants play," he said.
"And that's how I like to do it, I like to have the overall say in what happens but I also like my assistants to help me out and that hasn't changed."
Asked about the extra responsibilities he's handed to rookie halves pairing Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds, Daley said it had helped to make them feel more at home.
"It's been good – those guys are very good young players and we just want them to feel comfortable and have them understand what their responsibilities are and deliver the message to the team," he said.
With a host of extra support staff such as sports science specialists, a leadership expert and a greater focus on technology and player wellness, Daley said it was a "fair call" to say the approach seemed more thorough and professional.
"We're trying to be the best we possibly can and I'm trying to give the players the best chance," he said.
The side may or may not win the series opening next Wednesday but "at least we can walk away saying that we had a real red hot crack at this and we've given everyone the best chance to prepare well," he added.
"It's worked really well because while we have got a few more staff than last year we've stayed out of one another's road so to speak – we haven't bombarded the players and had everyone in on everything, it's been specific roles for specific people."
The sports science team are a new addition and have been added at Daley's behest after he decided between the 2013 and 2014 series that it would be a good idea.
"We've used GPS before but in terms of taking it to a new level it's gone up a notch this year. It's something I thought we needed to look at – all good sporting teams around the world have access to them," he said.
"I want to be as thoroughly prepared as I can be to have the boys in the best shape, that's the reason."
"I don't know whether I've changed," Daley said from the Blues camp in Coffs Harbour on Friday, where the players were enjoying a well-earned rest day, including an afternoon go-karting session.
"I think it's a different environment for a start. Different environments creates different atmospheres and the boys have been tremendous – geez they've done some work.
"In the community, just everything we've put in front of them, they haven't whinged and complained. I hope they enjoy the day off because they've worked hard for three days."
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"There are some things you still like to be in charge of but there are other roles that your assistants play," he said.
"And that's how I like to do it, I like to have the overall say in what happens but I also like my assistants to help me out and that hasn't changed."
Asked about the extra responsibilities he's handed to rookie halves pairing Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds, Daley said it had helped to make them feel more at home.
"It's been good – those guys are very good young players and we just want them to feel comfortable and have them understand what their responsibilities are and deliver the message to the team," he said.
With a host of extra support staff such as sports science specialists, a leadership expert and a greater focus on technology and player wellness, Daley said it was a "fair call" to say the approach seemed more thorough and professional.
"We're trying to be the best we possibly can and I'm trying to give the players the best chance," he said.
The side may or may not win the series opening next Wednesday but "at least we can walk away saying that we had a real red hot crack at this and we've given everyone the best chance to prepare well," he added.
"It's worked really well because while we have got a few more staff than last year we've stayed out of one another's road so to speak – we haven't bombarded the players and had everyone in on everything, it's been specific roles for specific people."
The sports science team are a new addition and have been added at Daley's behest after he decided between the 2013 and 2014 series that it would be a good idea.
"We've used GPS before but in terms of taking it to a new level it's gone up a notch this year. It's something I thought we needed to look at – all good sporting teams around the world have access to them," he said.
"I want to be as thoroughly prepared as I can be to have the boys in the best shape, that's the reason."
