Rugby: Less looks like more for Chiefs

Luke Jacobson. Photo / Photosport

All Blacks loose forward Luke Jacobson has revealed less is more when it comes to Warren Gatland's coaching sessions at the Chiefs.

The date of Jacobson's return is undecided as he makes his way back from concussion issues but is building contact work.

Quality not quantity appears to be the hallmark of training sessions under Gatland, the former Wales boss who has coached in Europe since the 1990s.

"He has made a few little changes. At the start, he was quiet and observing, he's slowly bringing the changes in now," said Jacobson.

"The main one is shorter training which is top stuff. There's an hour training in the afternoon. In previous years, it might have been two hours, 2- hours.

"Our first training in the morning is not until 9.30am so you've got a bit of time to sort your things out.

"Most of the time you come in anyway and do pre-hab or are looking at some footy. But there's a bit more time on your hands which makes things more enjoyable."

Gatland built a reputation for coaching a physical and controlled type of game known as "Warrenball" which is at odds with how the Chiefs are perceived to play.

Jacobson said: "We'll still be playing an exciting brand of footy, it's in our DNA and a point of difference. Our counter-attacking game can break things open when there isn't much there.

"We will be using our strengths to the best we can but I'd imagine Warren will bring a little bit of a different spin on things. It will be cool to see how we work those together."

Jacobson won't play the opening Super Rugby encounter against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday next week but hopes to return in round two or three.

"Everything has been going good and I'm back into full training," he said.

"I could have been back earlier, but we thought I might as well make the most of the time off, try and make sure it's right when I get out there."

Jacobson went to Japan with the All Blacks but headed home before the World Cup started because of the ongoing concussion issues.

"It was a really exciting time getting named in the All Blacks, and it wasn't the nicest thing and pretty tough to take especially as I didn't get a game out there."

He said the Super Rugby season had "come around bloody quick — it feels like we've just got back from our break ... that's good, less pre-season."