Sam Obst - Aware of the competition from team mates
A new form of competition has been injected into the Wildcats squad, last season’s first team members are fighting to keep their place against returning players, new signings and younger players desperate to show their worth.
Sam Obst had an impressive 2006 season making 23 appearances and scoring 5 tries. However, as the squad grows in strength and numbers, inevitably competition within the squad for positions is increasing.
“The new signings are great for the club, there’s a lot of talent coming through for 2007. It will push everyone to improve their performances to get first team places.” Coach John Kear and the team of training staff, including new conditioning coach Colin Sanctuary, have been putting the players through their paces during the pre-season sessions in a bid to silence fitness criticisms which haunted the squad last season. “Pre season training’s going really well, everyone’s doing good. It been tough but that can only mean improvements for the team”
Obst has already impressed coaches and knows he can’t afford to rest on his lorals as the infamous March brothers team up at Wakefield after five years and threaten to push for converted hooker and scrum- half positions. Paul, returning to Wakefield from Huddersfield in the off season, brings vast experience to the club and will be looking to affirm himself as scrum half in one of the most competitive half-back combinations in the league.
While brother David March is currently injured, after picking up a calf strain while recovering from a foot injury at the end of last season, when fit he will be contending for first team action in his preferred position Hooker. Not only will Obst have to over compensate for the March Brothers but also New Zealand International Tevita Leo-Latu, who joined the Wildcats mid-way through the 2006 season from Cronulla Sharks. Leo-Latu played hooker for Wakefield against St Helens, Bradford and Castleford proving he can hold his own against the best in the Super League. Un-phased by the string of talent vying for his place at Wildcats Obst represents a true Australian professionalism no doubt inherited from his family background in rugby. “I first started playing rugby in Australia at five years old, I guess it’s in my blood! My grandfather represented Australia and my dad played for Queensland.”
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