Rugby Union - by Craig Hill

The squad will undergo a gruelling Survivor-like program put together by the same organisation which took Shane Warne and his teammates right out of their comfort zone before their triumphant series over England last summer.

they are facing some big sacrifices and hardships.

There will be no coffee machine for George Gregan, skipper Stirling Mortlock will have to do without his beloved iPod and the mobile may have to be surgically removed from the ear of coach John Connolly.

military precision.

they will be picked up "from the mainland" at Ballymore some time on Sunday morning.

Five-eighth Steve Larkham didn't know what to expect over the following five days.
"A few boys have said that I am pretty smart getting this ankle injury," Larkham said.

"I'm certainly looking forward to it, anything where there is a challenge involved I enjoy that sort of stuff.
"It's just a matter of what they are going to put us through."

All sorts or rumours have been flying around the squad about what will be inflicted upon them.

"A lot of stuff has been thrown out there about sleep deprivation and food strikes so we'll wait and see what happens," Larkham said. "It's a bit exciting at the moment just to speculate what is going to happen."

It has also been tailored to ensure the players don't lose weight and the risk of injury is minimised.
"What we are trying to achieve is to put the guys together in situations which are a bit stressful," assistant Wallabies coach Michael Foley said.

Foley said while people perceive those camps to be physically grinding, that was not the focus.
"It is to actually challenge guys mentally and put them in situations where they have to resolve things together," Foley said.

"The hope is that shared hardship, which is more a mental rather than a physical thing, will be a good growing experience," he said.

"Having a bit of an insight into the camp I can't help but have a bit of a smile knowing what the boys are going to go through."