Israel Folau and Wallabies teammates forced to run hills with lips sealed shut

THE Wallabies are using some unusual methods to get in fighting shape for the All Blacks.

Wallabies players (l-r) Marika Koroibete, Israel Folau and Bernard Foley with their mouths taped shut as they run a hill session at Sydney Park on Saturday.

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika has continued his unconventional training methods in preparation for next month’s Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks, forcing his players to run up hills with their mouths taped shut.

The Wallabies training squad were spotted doing the big hills at Sydney Park in Alexandria on Saturday morning, some including stars Israel Folau and Bernard Foley with wrapping tape around their mouths.

Wallabies players (l-r) Marika Koroibete, Israel Folau and Bernard Foley with their mouths taped shut as they run a hill session at Sydney Park on Saturday.

Others were made to wear blindfolds as they ran up the hills, needing the assistance of teammates to be their eyes in a trust-building activity.

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Fitness has been a major concern for Australian rugby this year, with all teams looking off the pace and Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper conceding some of his teammates were out of shape in their dreadful 2017 campaign.

Wallabies players hit the hills at Sydney Park.

Cheika, renowned for his unique bonding and training methods, will be flogging his players for the next month in a bid to have them ultra-fit to beat the All Blacks, who have held the Bledisloe since 2003.