2nd Test | New Zealand vs West Indies Day 1 Live Streaming | Napier | Highlights

The name may not ring a bell for West Indian cricketers but their new strength and conditioning coach is one of the true legends of rugby league football in Australia. Steve Folkes, who joined the West Indies team at the start of their current New Zealand tour, played 510 matches for the Canterbury Bulldogs in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) and was player and coach for more than 30 years.

"It's been going really well," Folkes said. "The sport is different from what I'm used to but the guys have been welcoming and we've managed to do some decent sessions. It's pretty good." He is the West Indies' third such recruit from the tough world of Australian rugby.

Denis Waight, who first took over during Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, himself became a legend after more than 20 years with West Indies when he was credited with the super fitness of the players who comprised the great teams under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards. Now retired and back in Australia with his West Indian wife and family, he remains in contact with those players. He was last in the Caribbean for last year's World Cup.

Bryce Cavanagh joined West Indies four years ago but had less success. Seemingly frustrated by the response of the players to his methods, he quit midway through the tour of Pakistan in December 2006.

Folkes explained that, when his playing career ended, he went into strength and conditioning and then onto coaching.

"The sports are different and the needs are different so I just need to adjust," he said. "I will learn by watching and I've spoken to head coach John Dyson and sought his advice." He acknowledged that the culture of the West Indies is different to what he's used to.

"It's a bit of a challenge, but they say a change is as good as a holiday," he said. "I'm working my way into the role and I am working them out. It's trial and error and I am learning about what they can handle."

The players can expect some tough work under Folkes who is known in Australia as a strict disciplinarian with a no-nonsense approach. But he won't be applying the same system as in rugby.

"Cricket is obviously not a contact sport so the players don't need muscle bulk," he said. "But they still need to be strong in their shoulders. It is less endurance-based but it is tough for a fast bowler who has just bowled 15 to 20 overs in a day. They are on the field every day so it's hard to do too much with them."

Like so many Australians, Folkes' knowledge of and admiration for West Indies cricket was first sparked by the stars who played in Australia in his youth.

"I can remember going to the SCG and watching Sir Garry Sobers, Wes Hall, Rohan Kanhai, Roy Fredericks and other great West Indies players," he said. "Naturally I got autographs from them all, so I understand that West Indies have a very proud and successful heritage. I will do my part to have a positive environment, good team atmosphere and good team culture."

His manager, John Fordham, told the media in Australia that, while excited by the job, Folkes still harbours an eventual return to rugby league when a position becomes available in Australia or England.

"Steve wanted to keep himself active after the Bulldogs," Fordham said. "He didn't want to go into retirement. There was an opportunity with the West Indies team and it is a good learning experience. He is fortunate to have strength and conditioning qualifications as the basic skills apply anywhere."

The West Indies are also fortunate to have secured him, at least for the time being.