Welwitschias confront Valke tomorrow
The national rugby team hopes to capitalise on the hard lessons they learned last year.
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will meet the Hino Valke at the Hage Geingob Stadium tomorrow in the first match of this year's SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
The home side's efforts in the inaugural tournament were uneventful last year, with the team failing to make an impact in the tournament.
Now they plan on using the challenge as a step up from their club rugby and to qualify for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Coach Lyn Jones said there were many lessons learnt from last year and much to look forward to this year.
“Our players learnt the importance of becoming fitter and stronger. Dedication to your sport and the detail required to challenge in tight situations to influence the score line are but a few of the key factors experienced from last season's SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
“No one wants to concede versus anyone. It won't happen this season. You must realise the players and teams we play against play rugby for a living, so they should always be better than us. But like last season, it's not always the case,” he said.
The Welshman also spoke about how the rugby challenge has allowed different players to enter the selection pool.
“Last season brought so many new players into the selection pool for Phil Davies, the national team coach. Local players grew and understood how to play and how to train. Players returning from South Africa to train with Namibia noticed how improved local players have become. We need to keep growing the player base and improve our behaviour culture.”
He further said all players were motivated to have a chance of playing in the African Gold Cup.
“They want to be tested versus the best on the continent.
“The players here have been lucky that Davies was in Namibia for six weeks and he helped with coaching, along with Roger Thompson and JP Nel.
“Sergio de la Harpe has provided as good strength coaching as you will get anywhere in the world. Lots of our shortcomings have been addressed but they will not be cured in such a short space of time,” he added.
Jones said he did not like to make predictions, “but this tournament is very challenging. We will be a little better this time around and will keep improving as long as the plan is adhered to. It would be great to gain the respect of the larger unions like the Lions, Pumas and the Bulls.”
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will play in their new kit, sponsored by Mizuno. The match kicks off at 16:00.
Entrance fees are N$50 for adults and N$10 for children. Tickets are also available online at www.webtickets.com.na, Pick n Pay supermarkets or at the entrance. Food and drinks will be for sale.
–Additional reporting SuperSport
The home side's efforts in the inaugural tournament were uneventful last year, with the team failing to make an impact in the tournament.
Now they plan on using the challenge as a step up from their club rugby and to qualify for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Coach Lyn Jones said there were many lessons learnt from last year and much to look forward to this year.
“Our players learnt the importance of becoming fitter and stronger. Dedication to your sport and the detail required to challenge in tight situations to influence the score line are but a few of the key factors experienced from last season's SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
“No one wants to concede versus anyone. It won't happen this season. You must realise the players and teams we play against play rugby for a living, so they should always be better than us. But like last season, it's not always the case,” he said.
The Welshman also spoke about how the rugby challenge has allowed different players to enter the selection pool.
“Last season brought so many new players into the selection pool for Phil Davies, the national team coach. Local players grew and understood how to play and how to train. Players returning from South Africa to train with Namibia noticed how improved local players have become. We need to keep growing the player base and improve our behaviour culture.”
He further said all players were motivated to have a chance of playing in the African Gold Cup.
“They want to be tested versus the best on the continent.
“The players here have been lucky that Davies was in Namibia for six weeks and he helped with coaching, along with Roger Thompson and JP Nel.
“Sergio de la Harpe has provided as good strength coaching as you will get anywhere in the world. Lots of our shortcomings have been addressed but they will not be cured in such a short space of time,” he added.
Jones said he did not like to make predictions, “but this tournament is very challenging. We will be a little better this time around and will keep improving as long as the plan is adhered to. It would be great to gain the respect of the larger unions like the Lions, Pumas and the Bulls.”
The Windhoek Draught Welwitschias will play in their new kit, sponsored by Mizuno. The match kicks off at 16:00.
Entrance fees are N$50 for adults and N$10 for children. Tickets are also available online at www.webtickets.com.na, Pick n Pay supermarkets or at the entrance. Food and drinks will be for sale.
–Additional reporting SuperSport
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