Invigorated Bulls coach Steve McNamara is ready to impart the fruits of his "busman's holiday".

McNamara returned from his three-week fact-finding mission in Australia yesterday admitting it had left him bursting with ideas ahead of Super League XIII.

"I got everything I wanted and more out of the trip," said McNamara.

"It's been excellent, a fantastic education and in a really rounded way for me personally.

"The information and knowledge I gained from being out there is invaluable, not just from the sporting organisations I visited but the country as a whole." McNamara visited a host of Australian Rules clubs as well as NRL outfits Newcastle Knights, Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles as he studied coaching and management techniques.

He believes there is plenty that can be of immediate benefit for the Bulls, especially the Australians' approach to maintaining a fit and healthy squad.

"Sports science is probably one of the biggest factors I picked up on," McNamara explained.

"It's key in Australia and really beneficial in keeping players fit and healthy, not only minimising injuries but the risk of injuries too.

"Obviously, you need some luck - you can't legislate for a snapped cruciate or broken bones in a collision sport like rugby league but you can minimise numerous other problems.

"Knowing when players are under-worked or over-worked is sometimes very, very difficult to judge. Is a player looking lethargic because of too much work or is it because he isn't doing enough?

"As coaches we get a sense of which way it's going but some of the methods used in Australia give exact measurements.

"It's a very scientific approach and let's you know for certain how much catching up a player needs to do or how much rest he actually requires."

After seeing his squad plagued by injuries last season, it is easy to see why McNamara will be keen on implementing such techniques.

"There's opportunities to bring it all into play here," he added.

"We're going to monitor closely the players' work-load and work out what is and isn't the optimum amount. It's a fine balance.

"What I will say is the finance given to these projects in Australia is pretty good but it doesn't mean we can't adapt and develop our own blueprint."

He is wasting no time in getting down to business, having attended training yesterday straight from landing at Manchester Airport.

"I've been very impressed by what the staff and players have done so far in pre-season," McNamara added.

"The players look like they have been enjoying it, are working hard and working smart.

"I've been really refreshed by the trip but at the same time looking forward to getting back - even more so after seeing everyone yesterday."

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