Wallabies train on
October 10, 2001

The Wallabies have returned to the training paddock in a positive mood despite concern for their upcoming tour of Europe and the United Kingdom.

The squad began its preparations for the tour in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday with a physical workout. The onset of bombings against Afghanistan has put the tour in doubt, but the Wallabies are going ahead with preparations until a final decision is made.

The ARU will not force any player to tour if they don't want to, but coach Eddie Jones said the players were still prepared to put in the effort on the training ground.

"There's a very good mood, the players have trained well," Jones said. "They've had a break and now they've got stuck into some good physical work and they're keen to start building on some of the things we've put in place, in particular we're looking at improving our attacking skills."

New Wallabies skipper George Gregan, at his first camp since taking over from John Eales, said the players welcomed the approach to the security concerns taken by the ARU.

The issue was the major topic of conversation when the Wallabies held a team meeting on Wednesday morning to start the week-long training camp.

"It's going to be a case by case situation if we're to go," Gregan said. "If for whatever reason players don't feel comfortable that won't be held against them. That's a great initiative."

At this stage it appears likely the tour will go ahead, but coach Eddie Jones said a decision did not need to be made until some time after the camp ended next Tuesday.

"That was certainly one of the things we discussed at the team meeting, we're just in the process now of getting all the information we need to have," Jones said. "We're encouraging players to voice their concerns over the next two or three days and then we'll have a meeting with the senior players over the next period of time.

"If the tour does go ahead and individuals aren't for some reason wanting to tour then we'll deal with that on a case by case basis."

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