And he says they are maintaining their highly fitness conscious diets with the added flexibility and luxury of eating out as a group and laying on their own Aussie-style barbecues, as well as cooking for each other.
‘The players are comfortable in their apartments,” said Phillips.
“They are spacious, self contained, and provide the flexibility and independence that players enjoy when they are at home.
‘On tour you spend a lot of time in hotels with crowds of people, while here in Canberra we are all together as one squad and we have the run of the place.
‘We have spent a lot of time planning for the World Cup and that planning included considering all of the options, and selecting what we think is best for the team and our campaign.
“During Super 12, the ACT Brumbies are based at the same apartments, and other teams such as the All Blacks have also converted to the apartment approach.”
Martyn Williams added the apartments have been a revelation, he is enjoying the living space and thinks it has brought the team closer together.
‘When you are on tour, hotels become so monotonous and you can easily get bored. Plus you are often sharing a small space with someone else.
“Here we have our own rooms plus a separate lounge and dining room. We can go across the road for a coffee, go to the video shop and we are walking distance to some nice restaurants.’
And, contrary to some reports, the Wales squad are by no means badly done by in terms of having to cook for themselves and the decision has nothing to do with cost.
‘In addition to the independent living arrangements, the players do have the flexibility of preparing some of their meals,” said Phillips.
“But we are enjoying the variety of eating out as one large group in restaurants like we did last night, or eating in and cooking for ourselves.
“Tonight some of the players organised a typical Australian barbecue for the whole team by the pool.’
Warriors hooker Mefin Davies added, ‘It’s a great idea, especially if only to give your mind something different to think about while you’re in camp.
‘Spending so much time away from home is hard and can get a bit monotonous,
especially when everything is being done for you. Probably the hardest thing is keeping yourself mentally occupied when you’re not training, so this is great.
‘Cooking is just one of the options. I can’t say I’m much of a chef but some of the lads have really taken to it and have even been inviting others around to their rooms.’
Among those who have turned their hand to creating culinary delights for his team-mates is Davies’ fellow hooker Huw Bennett.
‘The option is there to cook for yourselves if you want to and it’s been good fun. It gives you something else to do, completely away from rugby,’ said Bennett.
‘There’s even a bit of competition brewing as to who can rustle up the best meal. Last night I cooked sweet and sour chicken, which went down a storm, so we’ll see who comes up with what next.’
