Unsuspecting amateurs endure brutal Ryan training session on the sand dunes of Dubai

Dubai - Two teams captained by rugby legends Brian O'Driscoll and George Gregan prove extraordinary performance requires extraordinary training

 
 
The determination, grit and resilience of 10 fitness enthusiasts from across Dubai was tested to the limit last week as they starred in the menacing first episode of HSBC's new 7s vs The World series.
 
Having been told by organizers they would be attending a Fijian inspired fitness session, the unsuspecting locals were astonished to find themselves lined up at the bottom of one of Dubai's most imposing sand dunes, faced ominously on the peak by two of world rugby's all-time greats, Brian O'Driscoll and George Gregan.
 

Separated into two teams, one championed by O'Driscoll and the other by Gregan, the amateurs were confronted by celebrated sevens super coach Ben Ryan, famed for his energy sapping fitness sessions on the torturous dunes of Fiji, who dared them to emulate the strength, resolve and mental strength of his Olympic gold medal winning side. Three lactic acid inducing challenges involving sprinting, teamwork and handling followed in a two hour challenge that tested the ability to think under pressure and showed just how dynamic and tough you have to be to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
 
When asked about the gruelling session, which also captured the light-hearted humour of rugby's greats, long distance runner and former rugby player Niall McCague said:
 
"I've run marathons and taken part in numerous fitness challenges, but this training session was on a completely different level and gave a great insight into what makes the Fijians the fittest athletes in the game. The desert sand is so soft, absorbing any power and spring in the lower body and leaving the legs screaming with lactic acid. I've a new found respect for the Fijians whose gold medal is a testament to training like that day in day out. They're extraordinary athletes, both physically and mentally."
 
For Ben Ryan, clearly at home in the surroundings of imposing dunes, there were no surprises in the reactions of the participants:
 
"Playing rugby sevens at the highest level demands everything of the human body, both physically and mentally and today has proven that achieving greatness doesn't just happen overnight. We've had a lot of fun putting these fitness freaks through their paces, sapping their energy and spirit to show how rugby sevens has taken performance to whole new levels around the world."
Legend O'Driscoll, who was in jovial mood throughout, testing the locals on their rugby and general knowledge in one of the challenges, added:
"I played XVs at an international level for many years, but the sport of rugby sevens now requires fitness in a completely different stratosphere. This group of amateurs thought that they would be taking part in an everyday fitness session, but we showed them how the best rugby players in the world need to retain skills and think clearly under pressure and fatigue, coping with lactic acid flowing through the body. Ben's training sessions like this one with the Fijian team made them the best in the business and transformed the way the game is played."
For Gregan there was a sense of relief that he wasn't involved in the physical torture:
"It was great fun giving today's fitness freaks a taste of the brutal training sessions that the Fijian's went through to become Olympic Champions! Their performance this summer has really helped to shine a spotlight on the sport and take it to new levels, inspiring new audiences and new players across the globe."
He added:
"There is no better way to kick off the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season and capitalise on the Olympic effect than by demonstrating the extreme fitness levels and mental and physical toughness required of these incredible athletes, but I'm glad I was team captain today and not on the receiving end!"
At the end of the sweat emitting challenges the winning team were crowned champions and were given VIP tickets to join the three legends at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. HSBC's 7s vs The World will continue throughout the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, with more tests designed to lift the lid on why Rugby Sevens is one of the most dynamic and entertaining sports on the planet.