Rugby: Bardoul sets new fitness mark

Johan Bardoul is making a good impression at the Chiefs. Photo / Stephen Parker

Johan Bardoul has wasted no time in making an impression in his debut season at the Chiefs.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers blindside flanker set a new fitness mark for the Chiefs forwards of 20.2 on the feared yo-yo test on Monday.

It breaks the marks set by Steamers Carl Axtens, Sam Cane and Tanerau Latimer and typifies the attitude he has brought to his rugby over the last 12 months.

Getting his chance to shine at Super Rugby level is a dream come true for the 27-year-old who never lost sight of that goal despite the years of frustration missing out.

"I am excited, really excited. My goal at the start as my rugby career started to unfold was to make ITM Cup and then the next step was to try and make Super," Bardoul said. "Now that I've done that I am truly rapt about it. It is such a good environment and the calibre of players is very high. All you have to do here really is do your own role and do it well and everybody else does theirs. My work rate is probably my biggest strength." Bardoul's form in last year's ITM Cup was so strong Chiefs coach Dave Rennie had no hesitation in signing him.

"For me my fitness was a huge thing. I was really fit and strong and I didn't have that ankle injury I had the year before. I was pretty motivated to have one last crack at Super and I was pretty happy with my performance obviously," Bardoul said. "It was frustrating though not getting the ws (wins) but from a personal perspective it was a rewarding year."

Making the Chiefs squad is one thing but Bardoul wants more than just to make up the numbers.

"I have set myself two main goals. One is to get some game time and the other to get re-signed before the end of the season."

Chiefs coach Rennie rates Bardoul's work ethic as a major strength.

"He is an impressive character. He is not the most skilled in the team for sure but really resilient.

"Anything that involves hard work is right up his alley."