WHILE turmoil continues within the Namibia Rugby Union, Welwitschias coach Johan Diergaardt is quietly preparing a team for the Vodacom Cup.
Yesterday, Diergaardt called up a sizeable pool of players in preparation for the 2012 Vodacom Cup campaign which will start on March 24.Diergaardt, whose contract expires at the end of the year, said Namibia has made a commitment to participate in the annual competition, hence the need to be thoroughly prepared once it resumes.He said neither the technical team or players have any part in the political wrangling that has seen the entire NRU executive quit last week ahead of a planned annual general meeting over the weekend. ‘I won’t be there when the competition starts but we have to get the team ready,’ said Diergaardt.’We have a commitment to play in the Vodacom Cup and have nothing to do with the politics in the NRU. ‘Our job is to play rugby, that’s why I called up these players to prepare. It will not be in the interests of the players if they go in unprepared.’Diergaardt also said he was trying to lay a credible foundation for the man who will succeed him. He called up all the Rugby World Cup squad members who have yet to secure professional contracts abroad, while fringe players as well as the entire under-19 national team and Craven Week participants of 2011 are also expected to attend practice at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Monday. ‘The new coach does not have to start from scratch,’ he said. ‘It’s for the sake of continuity that we are doing this. I cannot just step away. I need to leave a foundation for the new coaching staff.’Despite his relative success with the national team, Diergaardt said he would not continue if given the chance to do so. He finds the position draining and not financially rewarding, he said.’I will help out but it’s not viable to stay on,’ Diergaardt said. ‘I have a family to look after and in this job you lose a lot. The job of national coach does not pay much. People don’t realise the things you sacrifice to be a volunteer.’The following players are expected to be at the stadium on Monday at 18h00: Munee Tjiueza, Pieter Jan van Lill, Shaun van Rooi, Daniel Van Wyk, Hauta Veii Marthinus, Venter Huscit, John Visagie, Godwin Walters, Llewellyn Winkler, Russel Van Wyk, Adriaan du Plessis, Shaun Esterhuizen, Nico Esterhuizen, Robert Herridge, Muniovita Kasiringua, Heinz Koll, Tertius Losper, Justin Nel, Egbertus O’Callaghan, David Phillander, Johannes Redelinghuys, Carel Swanepoel, Joseph Adriaanse, Jan Adriaanse, Morne Blom, Heini Bock, Jacky Bock, Arthur Bouwer, Daryl de la Harpe, Sergio de la Harpe, Tinus du Plessis, Roger Thompson, Ismael du Plessis, Bradley Langenhoven, Ismael du Plessis, Rodger Thompson, Harold Kasera.
