AUSTRALIAN Steelers captain Ryley Batt admits his team are "a fair way off the pace" and have some work to do to replicate their successes from 2012 and 2016 at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in August.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Batt returned home following the 2020 Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations in Leicester where the Steelers managed just one win from five starts.
But at least they now have a base to work from.
"Those other teams have been playing international matches so they were mid-season, but that was our first event since October," he said.
"It's hard to play at your best having been out of that high-intensity environment for so long."
The Steelers had hoped to build on that semi-final performance in England at the Japan wheelchair rugby championships from March 12-15 which doubled as a test event for the Paralympics.
But ongoing health concerns surrounding COVID-19 meant the tournament had to be cancelled and as a result the Steelers could potentially only play in one more event before their Paralympic campaign starts.
"We need to play a few more matches to get that muscle memory back and being put under pressure in those (match) situations," Batt said.
"Having Tokyo cancelled is a hit for us, but we can't do anything about it."
The Steelers will now head to Melbourne for a week-long high intensity training camp which the captain feels could be beneficial in the long-term.
"You could train up to seven hours a day for five or six days in a row at these camps so it takes a real physical toll," he said.
"Some days you almost have to roll out of bed because you can't sit up, but I like these camps because you come out of them stronger and it shows you how deep you can really dig."
Batt remained hopeful the Paralympics would continue as scheduled, but they were being guided by the Australian Paralympic Committee.
"We're in the hands of Paralympics Australia and we're still preparing as if the Paralympics will go ahead," he said.
"We thought we had it tough in London and Rio, but this will be the toughest one yet with five teams battling for number one so hopefully we can get over the line."
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
