The five-year relationship finally made official that could fuel further success for the All Blacks
When the All Blacks take the field against Australia in October for their first test match of the year, supporters across New Zealand will be cheering from Cape Reinga to the Bluff.
After an incredibly challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic, an army of people have put in countless hours to get international rugby finally back on the calendar, and the All Blacks will kick everything off with the first Bledisloe Cup match of the season on October 11th.
It won’t just be the players that will be relieved when they run out onto the SKY Stadium turf in Wellington, however. The coaches, managers and support staff have all been intently focussed on best preparing the All Blacks for what’s shaping up as one of their most anticipated season-openers in years.
Kat Darry, the All Blacks nutritionist, is just one of the many non-playing personnel who have been preparing the men in black for a Test like no other – and that’s involved ensuring the full squad have been maintaining a healthy, robust diet.
“The importance of maintaining a healthy diet and strong immune system has never been more topical and for high-performance athletes like the All Blacks. It’s as important as their physical training regimes,” says Darry.
“The high daily physical demands experienced by elite-level rugby players such as the All Blacks often makes it difficult for players to eat enough or meet their individual needs for specific nutrients.”
While food obviously remains the key source of the nutrients that the All Blacks have to consume on a daily basis, it’s sometimes simply not enough to meet all the requirements needed to maintain a professional rugby player in peak condition. In the last five years, many of New Zealand’s top players have relied on Healthspan Elite supplements. Now, in 2020, the All Blacks and Healthspan have formalised that arrangement, with the UK supplements company officially getting on board as the New Zealand side’s first-ever official sports nutrition, protein, vitamins and supplements partner.
It’s a relationship that’s been welcomed by Darry.
“All Blacks expend a huge amount of energy, whether it be in the gym, out on the training paddock, or in a game,” the experienced nutritionist said.
“To have the support of specific supplements from Healthspan Elite, which can be utilised when a player’s needs are greater than what they can meet from our food-first approach, is important.
“I’m looking forward to working with Healthspan Elite to build on our existing relationship and to develop fit-for-purpose, trusted and proven products to keep the All Blacks at the top of their game and their health.”
From caffeine gum to vitamin D, probiotics to vegan protein, the Healthspan Elite range caters to all the needs of a top athlete and, just as importantly, all the needs of individual diets.
If ever there were a time for Patrick Tuipulotu to make a statement, it's now. #AllBlackshttps://t.co/QTeVyOYYjT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2020
Unsurprisingly, Darry has had experience with a wide range of supplements and health products, and she was quick to endorse the Healthspan Elite range as it specifically targets high-performance sportspersons.
“One of the first things that really attracted me initially was that they are designed for athletes. There are a lot of products out on the market but they’re for the general layperson. Healthspan Elite are great because they’re really designed to help an athlete.
“They’ve been a company I’ve been working with for a number of years now. I love their product development, love their passion around sport and their commitment to helping athletes be the best that they can.”
With the support of Healthspan Elite, Darry and the rest of the support team will be able to ensure that the All Blacks are getting the right nutrients to help them perform at their peak.
Healthspan Elite products are available here in the UK and here in New Zealand.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments