DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - Web posted at 9:32:03 AM GMT

Conradie slams Katutura club for 'soccer mentality'
HELGE SCHUTZ

THE president of the Namibia Rugby Union, Dirk Conradie has slammed a statement by the public relations officer of the newly-formed Katutura Rugby Club that the NRU was only there to promote white rugby and warned that they might not be able to register for the new season.

The South African Press Association on Monday reported that KRC's PRO, Gideon Eiseb said that the NRU was incompetent and wanted the sport to remain the domain of white people."

"Conradie accused the club's executive committee of not being registered and that they wanted to bring a soccer mentality in to rugby," Sapa reported.

Approached for comment yesterday, Conradie said that KRC had not even applied for membership to the NRU and just wanted to cause disunity within Namibian rugby."

"They must still submit their application, but with this attitude it's clear they want to cause disunity and that will be taken into consideration when they apply," he said.

Conradie said they displayed a "soccer mentality" which was beset by power struggles and jealousy and that would not be allowed within the NRU."

"I am here for the development of rugby and I'm absolutely happy with what we have achieved in the last year.

More than half of our national training squad is black, while new black clubs have also started in Oshakati, Karasburg and Luderitz," he said.

Conradie praised the approach of another black club in Katutura - Jaguars - which attended the NRU's annual general meeting last year and approached the NRU for assistance."

"We helped them register for the league and also assisted with training and equipment.

KRC never even consulted with us and so far they still haven't joined while we have already finished the season's league fixtures," he said.

Conradie added that it was "ridiculous" to have two new clubs from Katutura and that they should have joined forces to become a stronger team."

"I'm in favour of new clubs starting, but now I don't understand their agenda anymore," he said.

Meanwhile, the Namibia Rugby Union has announced that trials for the national team will be held on Saturday, January 27 at the National Rugby Stadium in Windhoek.

Players must report at the entertainment hall at 13h30 where Neil de Beer and Christo Alexander will address them, while players must also bring their own socks and shorts.

The four trial teams are as follows:Team A:Glovin van Wyk, Jaco Knouwds, Francois van Rensburg, Nick du Plessis, Jaco Kotze, Du Preez Grobler (Fanie Botha), Ronaldo Pedro, Henk Botha, Herman Lintvelt, Rudi Gentz, Josef Domingo, Robert Jeary, Morris Kapitako, Thai Isaacs and Eben Smith.

Team B:Deon Grunschloss, Gerald Louser, Cliff Loubser, Deon Gouws, Daantjie Weitz, Rudi van Vuuren (Daantjie Weitz), Riaan Jantjies, Pat Kotze, Archie Graham, J J Husselman, Eben Isaacs, Josef Losper, Henk Schrader, Rene Kruger, Fanna Lambert.

Team C:Eric Grunschlos, Pieter van Vuuren (Gerald Matos), Schalk Pienaar, Dirk Farmer, Andy-Boy Engelbrecht, Russel van Rooi (Lorenzo Plaath), Sarel van Rensburg, Schalk van der Merwe, Elmo Kurz (Conrad Jeary), Karel Nel, Willeboer Kazombiaze, Jassie Genis, Andries Blauuw, Dirkie Beukes and Mario Jacobs (John Brandon).

Team D:Antua Jacobs, Hugo Smith, Johan Kruger, Franklin Hartung (Gert Nelson), Deon Mouton, Morne du Plessis (Alfred Chidembo), Marius von Pitius, Stefan Meyer, Jaco Olivier, Aaron Tjikura, Pieter Visser, Eric Naholo, Martyn Jeary, Riaan van Zyl and Petrus Loth (Sinclen Sicua).

•  Boxing titles at stake
•   Pirates host Arrows
•  Boks overcoming poor displays
•  Kangaroos favourites
•  Sports Notices Cheetahs hold race
•  India takes one-dayer
•  Suzuki Night of Jumps postponed
•  Omusati, AN up in arms
•  White to work with Saracens
•  Boks keen to start Lion-taming
•  Kangueehi confident of retaining post
•  Player management
•  SA in solid start
•  Gibbs for Glamorgan