Aviva Premiership
Saracens head to NYC for team bonding
ESPN Staff
March 24, 2014
Saracens' Jacques Burger makes some yards, Saracens v Harlequins, Aviva Premiership, Wembley, March 22, 2014
Saracens' Jacques Burger makes some yards on Saturday © Getty Images
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As the world-record crowd filtered out of Wembley after watching Saracens demolish Harlequins, the victorious side were already loading their bags onto the team coach and heading to Heathrow to fly out to New York for a bonding trip.

With a game against Wasps next Saturday, the wisdom of flying to the USA and back might be questioned, but Saracens flanker Jacques Burger defended the decision.

"It really adds a lot of value, even though people don't see it that way. We want to go out there and bleed for each other and do absolutely everything for each other. In order to do that, you have to spend time together and really become friends and become close.

"It is about memories. It is not just about playing rugby, it is about the whole experience. It is about playing together, training together, doing great stuff together as a team.

"In 2011 we went to Miami at the same time of the season and it was incredible. We drove around, had barbecues and a couple of drinks and just enjoyed each other's company. It didn't feel like we were rugby players, it just felt like we are mates on a road trip. We went on to win the title that year."

Owen Farrell backed that view. "It is a good chance to break things up a bit and for the lads to have a couple of days together and hopefully have a good time and get ready for next weekend. It is a long season and to miss a couple of days training is not the end of the world when you have been together since last July."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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