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Gym-loving ex-All Black gets creative during pandemic isolation

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints loosehead Ben Franks has not let the current coronavirus pandemic stop him from staying in condition. 

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With clubs ceasing to train collectively amid the suspension of all rugby in England and many gyms closed across the country to limit the spread of the virus, the ex-All Black has ‘Frankensteined’ a prowler sled out of old gym equipment. 

During this period of social distancing, the 36-year-old shared the fruits of his labour on Instagram where he welded together an “old bench press, scrap metal, and a horseshoe for good luck and to attach a harness to”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B94YV2Al5d7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

It is unclear as to when rugby will resume in the northern hemisphere, or if the Gallagher Premiership season will even be completed, but players are nonetheless doing the best they can in these circumstances to remain in shape. 

The 47-cap dual World Cup winner is set to retire at the end of the season, so he may well have already played his last game. That is the unfortunate reality of the season suspension for many players expected to hang up their boots.  

The Franks brothers’ exploits in the gym have been well documented throughout their careers, and such strength helps explain why Ben has been able to operate on either side of the scrum. 

WATCH: Stormers team doctor Jason Suter on saving Pieter-Steph du Toit’s career last month

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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