I was lucky enough to work with Gilly for eight years throughout the second half of my rugby career.

I really enjoyed the way he listened to each player in order to understand their needs and then design training programs to suit. This showed up in the years I was working under Gilly, we had one of the best physically conditioned teams in the world. It was never a one size fits all approach to achieving this.

Towards the end of my professional career, I had the inevitable injuries and wear and tear to deal with. Gilly’s ability to be innovative and flexible helped minimize these affects, but also enabled me to still make the gains I needed in a strength and fitness sense. This was a huge reason I was able to maintain my level of performance right to my last game.

The most important feeling I had working with Gilly was I always trusted the advice and training plans he put together for me. Whether it was to push a little harder or to take more time for recovery, he always got this spot on. He had a great feel for the big picture and shaped his advice to suit. It meant every time I took the field I felt confident I’d done everything to be in the best shape possible to perform.

I was lucky to work under Gilly for so long who I consider one of the best!

When I joined Rugby Ready, my main goal was to gain weight and increase my strength to become a dominant contact player in the French Rugby League.

With their incredible knowledge and attention to detail, Gilly and Bucky enabled me to gain 8kg and improve my strength drastically within 4 months.

Rugby Ready pushed me to my limits, allowing me to not only recover from injury but also surpass my previous fitness levels. I was amazed at my swift progress, equalising my front squat PB, improving my bench press with 20 kg and weighted pull up with 8 kg within 4 months with their meticulously developed and managed programmes.

The impact of Rugby Ready was evident on the field. My improved physicality and mental toughness were key factors in my selection for the Springbok squad. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and knowledgeable team. If you are serious about taking your rugby career to the next level, I highly recommend Rugby Ready

I was fortunate enough to have Gilly as a Strength and Conditioning coach for the majority of my All Black career. Through this time I quickly learned he was world-class. His knowledge of High Performance and what it took to get his athletes trained to perform at the highest level for many years was something I admired.

In 2014 after playing professional rugby for 13 years there was evidence it was taking its toll on my body. I reached out to Gilly to rebuild my body during a 6-month sabbatical. I came back stronger and 2015 was my best year yet and I went on to achieve a lot more in my career finally finishing years later. I put a lot of this success down to the knowledge Gilly shared with me to maintain my body to be able to perform at the highest level week in week out.

He also understands the balance required for the individual athlete when it comes to training. Knowing when to push his athletes hard or when it’s time to make the session fun and enjoyable with humour or even when he taps you on the shoulder and tells you to sit the session out to take some more time on your recovery. An art that not all S&C trainers have.

Working with you guys has helped me improve my knowledge in rugby. Preparing well for upcoming trainings and games. Not just on the field but off-field too. I’ve really enjoyed the new training schedules and the things planned out and just doing them! 

One-one coaching is for players that want their game to go to the next level and seeing a different perspective, also seeing some great results and performances. 

Thank you very much! 

ofa atu!

Since starting 1-1 coaching my overall strength has improved through following a specific and well structured plan. Also a couple of ongoing niggles are no longer an issue.

Before I started I struggled finding the balance between hard and easier sessions. Planning the full weeks training and progressive overload.

I have put on 2 kilos of muscle, built a stronger aerobic base, gotten stronger and improved my mobility.

I really enjoy the variety in the exercises. Bucky also knows when to check in and add valuable comments and when to just let you get on with your work.

Prior to the last 3 months I would’ve said I didn’t need 1-1 coaching, but I found it really good. helped to feel like someone was working along side me each week.

Really enjoyed it, seeing the improvements and striving to get better each week.

Prior to starting 1-1 coaching I struggled putting on size and muscle mass and I was excited to work with a S&C 1 on 1. It has been brilliant working with you no complaints at all, how personal and interactive it is. Bucky is always checking up and reassessing plans based on personal goals and making sure you are staying on top of everything. 

I hit a PB on my front squat and refined my squatting form. I dropped my body fat and got continuous habits to improve. Training with you helped with my confidence more than anything knowing I have been putting in hard work and working at a higher intensity than other people. 

I would 100% recommend 1-1 coaching. I’m grateful for everything that Bucky helped we with. It was a good learning curve for me and really helped me with all my lifts and form as well.

Gilly has changed my body, I went from being a skinny weak tall kid into a strong explosive athlete. The only way I have been able to play at the highest level for over 13 years, is from the changes my body has gone under.

I started playing for the All Blacks at 106kgs I’m 122kgs now and leaner than I was at 106kgs.

Gilly has the ability to get the best out of every session, he has the personality to get you to give that last maximal effort which allows the greatest growth. Whether this is a gym session, running block, or a stretch session.

Knowing when to push and when to take reps and sets out is the difference between Gilly and the rest!

One result I found whilst working with Bucky is finding balance between strength and fitness and being able to maintain a good routine throughout the course of the program and knowing when to rest and when to put in work. 

Three things I struggled with prior to starting was nutrition, fitness and being able to find balance within the game of rugby such as strength,power, speed and fitness.

Things I enjoy about working with Bucky is he’s very flexible and able to adapt on the fly such as if I get an injury he changes the program to suit your injury and he’s really open to talk to and gives his advice where needed and also just a great bloke in general, wouldn’t be in the position I am standing today without him so overall he’s a top man.

Love his passion and his work ethic towards our physical & recovery aspect of training. Gilly has a great way of keeping things simple and explaining it but also trying to find ways to make us better athletes.

Before starting with you, I faced quite a few challenges. Even though I’d played league at a high level for years, I’d never followed a personalized programme before. I was also held back by doubts, my age, weight gain and past injuries all made me question whether my goals were still realistic. 

My experience so far has been awesome and there are so many things that stand out. The support and guidance have been second to none. The 1-1 feedback, the personalised programme made specifically for me and everything I’ve learned about myself, especially around mindset and staying mentally focused has been invaluable. 

What really stands out is how grounded and realistic my coaches are. They carry real mana and their expertise shows in everything they do.

Committing to the programme has noticeably improved my strength, conditioning, and overall progression. It all paid off when I had the chance to trial for the NZ Warriors pathway competition. I was selected and I know that wouldn’t have happened without the commitment I’ve put into my training. 

The level of detail, breakdown, and individual attention you receive is something you simply can’t get on your own. 

As a front rower, having some good healthy weight behind you always helps , especially when packing down for the scrum. Just as important is also having the ability to move around the park and nail your core roles well.

Gilly helped me find the balance of being at a good playing weight while being mobile.

A quick coffee session with Gillies helped me realize my goal of donning the glorious black jersey at the age of 29. I became one of the oldest players to debut for the All Blacks and I've come to realize that by being equipped with the right knowledge and having the right motivation to reach your goals, anything is possible no matter the shape or size, age or gender.

Just want to say, overall, as kind of a first week to see where I am. I've been really impressed with the testing and the range of stuff you've done, especially for myself as a coach. You’ve given me some great ideas for things to test.

Also after working with several coaches for a while, I've found this one a lot better and a lot more worth what I'm actually paying for than some of the other coaches I've tried.

So big thanks to you guys and really excited to see what the plan of attack is going to be for the next four weeks.

Thanks very much!

I’ve known Gilly for the best part of my adult life, from lecturing me at Wintec in 2004 to working with him throughout my entire All Blacks career. The great thing about Gilly as a trainer is that he genuinely cares about everyone he works with. It isn’t just about the numbers for Gilly, he can connect and push the most experienced player while at the same time build trust and motivate the rookies who came into the team.

I personally benefitted from Gilly across my career, he was able to push me to places physically where I wouldn’t have imagined I could ever reach. I know this as every year in my career I improved physically, even as I was in my mid-30s. He did this through utilizing my strengths and working on my weaknesses to develop greater aerobic capacity and building strength in unique ways adapted to my body and injuries.

Before starting 1-1 coaching, I didn’t have much structure in my training. I was working hard, but I didn’t have a clear plan or proper guidance on what I should be focusing on to improve. I needed direction to make sure I was training effectively and getting the most out of my sessions. I wasn’t overly apprehensive about investing in coaching I just wanted to make sure it would genuinely help me take the next step in my development.

My experience has been extremely positive. What stands out the most is the structure, clarity, and accountability. Everything in my program has purpose, and I understand how each part connects to my performance on the field. The support and communication have also made a big difference.

1-1 coaching has improved my consistency and impact. I feel stronger in set pieces, more dominant in contact, and able to maintain my performance for the full 80 minutes. I’m more confident in my role and clearer about what I bring to the team each week.

I would say 1-1 coaching is for any athlete who genuinely wants to improve and take their performance seriously. If you want structure, accountability, and real progress, it’s 100% worth it. I would definitely recommend Rugby Ready to anyone who wants to grow further as a player.

Gilly or Nic Gill as many know him by was my physical conditioning trainer for around 10 years whilst playing for the All Blacks.

The one thing that sticks out for me when people ask about Gilly is his ability to listen and get a real understanding of how your body works and reacts and will adapt to any situation thrown at him.

The detail that goes into his training specifics and position specifics is world-class.

An example of this was when I had bad patella tendinitis which limited my ability to squat and build size and muscle around my quads. But we adapted and found other ways I could train without overloading the tendon so I was able to perform at peak performance.

Gilly is a World-class trainer but an even better man got nothing but love for Gilly and by far my greatest trainer.

Before starting the program, my biggest challenge was not effort - it was direction. I was training hard and consistently, but there was a disconnect between how much work I was doing and how reliably it transferred to performance. I was also slightly apprehensive about 1-1 coaching because I didn’t want noise or generic programming - I wanted something that aligned with elite standards and actually respected how the body adapts over time.

Working with Gilly and Bucky has been transformative. They are truly world-class and was very lucky to be able to work with these guys. The Rugby Ready 1-1 program is possibly the best s+c you can get outside professional systems.

After working with this crew for 6 months, my athleticism has improved significantly. I also have developed much more consistent habits that will serve me throughout my rugby career. I would not hesitate to start working with Rugby Ready.

I had the pleasure of working with Nic for twelve years through my Junior and Senior All Blacks career . Being lucky enough to work with Nic for that amount of time allowed us to form a great professional relationship but also an awesome friendship. I learned and developed so many skills working with Nic, but the most important for me is that he helped me become the best that I could be through constant work on knowing what will work for me. From weekly training planning discussions to making sure that each session is beneficial for me.

I would not have been able to achieve the heights that I reached if it wasn’t for the continuous work and friendship I had with Nic. Working with a trainer and working hard is one thing but having a great connection and that close work/friendship/respect really made a difference to my approach to everything. We worked really hard and having that close link really helped our process.

Truly grateful for everything thing that Nic did for me.

I used Rugby Ready to give me structure around my off season program. Specifically around bullet proofing my calves and strengthening my Achilles. So I’ve gained confidence to hit the preseason in a good condition to attack everything.

Prior to starting I struggled having structure in the off season. Finding that balance of doing enough but also not over doing it so trusting that process.

After my off-season I PBed in squat strength testing on our first day back, built a good foundation of fitness( not just bronco fit but also rugby fit ), and my skinnies lowest they’ve been coming back from an off season. I am generally stronger in all areas and have a better understanding of how to run an off season. Feel lighter in my running and ready for the preseason. Not playing catch up.

I enjoy the ability to have someone to chat to about the program and the adaptability that Bucky had to suit my schedule. Gym and runs were fun and not generic.

I would say 1-1 coaching is for anyone and everyone No matter what level you are. Even seasoned pros ,it’s good to have a new set of eyes and ideas around how you approach different parts of the season and everyone has different goals

This was a great investment. Wish I’d done it earlier. Well worth my time, effort and money.

Working with you has improved my game immensely.

The coaching I receive has help me both physically and mentally with my game. Anything from getting game day prep ready, day-day routines, and working around the demands of my everyday life.

The programs you make for me are great and tailored to my needs and keep me growing as an athlete.

You’ve helped me come back from injury, rebuild my body, and the mental aspects of my game as well as helping me recognize how life outside of rugby can affect me.

I appreciate all the work from Gilly and Bucky!

Rugby Ready is the bridge between ambitious rugby players and world class level performance. If you need support to execute on your goals this is it.

Training through Rugby Ready its been a wild ride to be honest. Bucky as a coach is amazing, whether it is as my coach or as just some to talk to when you are having a tough week or you need to a quick recap about your program. I remember the last 1-1 call me and Bucky had and I was down and out and scared to make a step up as an S&C because I thought I might not be good enough because I was scared that I might mess up and get someone injured. In the end he made me see the light that making a mistake is not the end of the world you keep moving forward. I told him "Who would've thought I'd fear something so small instead of a bigger lad on the field" 😅.

Since then I have made changes in my life to better myself and not look at situations in that way when I am training young athletes, that I know I have the skill and knowledge to train them. Bucky invited me to the coaches corner to better my self as an S&C where I sat and just sucked up information like a sponge when Gilly and Bucky talked, and I have learned so much.

To any young man or woman wanting something different and to better their rugby, I would say Rugby Ready is the way to go. 

I’m really happy with the additional durability I’ve gain since working with Bucky. I really struggled with shoulder injuries that were nagging and something that I just couldn’t get over. Working with Bucky in strengthening those areas has been really helpful.

Prior to 1-1 coaching, I generally struggled with nutrition, the mental aspect of training/matches, and having a consistent long-term plan to work towards.

The top results that I’ve gotten in my rugby career so far have been improving my college team from the bottom table team to a team that can compete throughout the Midwest for 7s. Also, I’m very happy with how much better of an all-around player I’ve become. I think the true benefit that I’ve gained from my Rugby career has been the relationships that I’ve made and people I’ve met along the way.

I enjoyed working with Bucky as he is a true professional and gives great advice all around in all facets of training and in life.

Kia ora. I'm 54 years old with about fifteen years of exercise history but major limitations due to the condition of my knees. I connected with Nic Gill and then Tyler Buck with a view to gaining some knowledge and being able to reset my training so it becomes more effective. In four months I've hugely improved my strength, mobility, and diet....in fact it's been embarrassing finding out how poor my exercising was and I regret all the wasted time (and pain).

I feel like I'm now training as opposed to exercising and I'm confident there are more gains to come.

I happily highly recommend Rugby Ready to anyone. I understand there are numbers of people like me already working with Rugby Ready who will never play rugby or be involved in sport.

The struggles I had prior to working with Rugby Ready was having a solid gym routine that I followed well. I was really unsure at first before starting 1-1 coaching.

My experience has been amazing. I have learned so much and grown so much. A moment that stands out for me is being able to watch the All Blacks Training first class, being right up close to the action and taking notes from what I was seeing and meeting the man himself Gilly for the first time.

I was surprised how quickly my weight range in the gym increased, my bench and squat weight went up massively with my form improving extremely well.

It has changed my mindset on the field and how I look at the game which makes me make the right decisions.

I think 1-1 coaching is for everyone. I got a taste of what it’s like for on season, off season and even being injured. I would definitely recommend to someone who is looking for a good coach.

Rugby Ready has vastly improved my horizons when it comes to not only conditioning and strength training, but knowledge on how to stay safe while playing rugby.

1-1 coaching can be for anyone, it is a great way to improve yourself and learn to speak up and ask more questions, without having the fear of being criticised.

Since September, I’ve been doing a strength and conditioning program through Rugby Ready with Conor. 

It’s helped me get fitter and stronger with simple, consistent training. I improved my Bronco PB to 4:54, which shows my fitness has gone up a lot. 

In the gym, my bench press went from 50kg for 5 reps to 60kg for 7.

The coaching with Conor has really helped me improve and feel more confident in my training. It also led to me doing well in New Zealand Inside Running Academy and also making the Western Force Academy.

My game has improved by learning to peak going into the game at a weekend rather than smashing myself all week.

Skin folds have gone down with weight staying the same and my lifts have all improved with weight and technique.

My bronco time also went down from 4:58 to 4:38.

I enjoy how my thoughts are taken into account with training and we work together to find the perfect balance. It’s also helped mentally with me having a coach to talk to outside rugby and having those conversations about work and life.

I mainly struggled with getting rugby fit after having a baby. I have been unfit before but I found this time around way different. My body had changed, I also didn't have a trainer and I needed more direction. I was getting bored, training aimlessly and not seeing any results. I have teammates who made coming back to rugby after having a baby look heaps easier than I found it. I thought I could do it on my own but I am so glad I invested in 1 on 1 coaching. 

I have loved everything about working with Rugby Ready. The programs are individually tailored and changed frequently, the communication and support is very high. I think what stands out to me the most is Bucky is very person first, player second which I value a lot in a trainer. He is very understanding of my life outside of rugby and the constant juggle to fit things in. But when that stuff is taken care of the training and results fall into place too. 

Getting back into playing Farah Palmer Cup post baby is my biggest win, when I first started with Rugby Ready I wasn't even sure I would get back on the field at all. I have never been a gym strong athlete but I am getting pbs in the gym that I didn't think I would beat again.

I have been in high performance many years but I feel like a better athlete after working with rugby ready. The feedback is very specific which helps on field performance immensely. I wish I had signed up years ago. 

1 on 1 coaching suits anyone who is chasing a goal or dream and just wants to be better than they were yesterday. If you are sitting on the fence do it, you won't regret investing in yourself.