NAMIBIAN rugby coach Hakkies Husselman says his players are now more confident and focused to face some of the biggest rugby-playing nations at the World Cup in France, after the recent mauling by the Springboks in South Africa.
Husselman told The Namibian Sport in an interview this week that his players have now perfectly positioned themselves mentally and are physically in a good shape to face the might of Ireland, Argentina and France when the World Cup kicks off in France on September 7. “After the South African match, the players have realised that the conditions at the World Cup would be similar and now they appear more focused and are mentally strong.They now know what to expect at the World Cup and I think the match against South Africa was a great experience for most of these players.The score could have been a bit lower if our defence was better organised, but most importantly, we gained a lot in terms of experience and are confident about the future,” he said.He said they have been working on their defence system, which in his view has improved a lot since returning from South Africa.Namibia were nailed 105-13 in their first full test match against the Boks at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town about two weeks ago.Husselman said Namibia face tough opponents at the World Cup and have been focusing on improving their defence, which he says contributes to at least 70 per cent of a team’s success, while the remaining 30 per cent is ball possession.He said their attack system is already in place, because they have players who can turn on the heat in that department.He said the team watched DVDs of the playing conditions in France, their opposition, where they would be playing and where they would stay.”When we arrive there, we will know what to expect and this has already turned the players into a positive mode for the competition.”Despite Namibia’s slim chances of making it to the next stages of the competition, Husselman, who played professionally in South Africa and for Namibia, believes that the opportunity to compete against the world’s leading sides is an exceptional experience.He said Namibia will go to the World Cup to compete, make use of every opportunity that comes their way, but the most crucial aspect is that they will be doing duty for their country, which they have to do with pride.Husselman said there wont be any more warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup, but added that they will also not concentrate on big contact sessions.”They will play matches among themselves and we will take light sessions for next week, before we leave,” he said.Namibian captain and hooker Kees Lensing says a lot of players who played against South Africa are heroes.In his opinion, the players did well and they have developed into stronger characters mentally, despite playing against some of the biggest names in world rugby.”After that match (Springboks), the players are a lot more confident and there is a positive spirit all round.I am happy that we are working together as a unit.I know it will be tough out there (World Cup), but after the South African experience, I am optimistic that we will put up good fights against some of these teams,” said Lensing.Lensing, who also led the side to the 2003 World Cup in Australia, says any opposition to him does not matter.”It does not matter which team we are going to take on.All I know is that we are all human beings and we will go out there to do what we are there for.To play the game and to do well at all costs,” said the Coastal Sharks big man.Meanwhile, Husselman has confirmed that Namibia’s South African-based hooker Skipper Badenhorst, who plays for the Coastal Sharks, will not travel with the team.Badenhorst was not released by his side and the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) will appeal to the International Rugby Board (IRB) for him not to be involved in any Currie Cup matches either.According to IRB rules, a professional player needs to be released to represent his country, especially at the World Cup, but the Sharks management thought otherwise, arguing that the player was contracted to them and they wanted to use him for their Currie Cup campaign in the absence of their first-choice hooker, Lensing.”After the South African match, the players have realised that the conditions at the World Cup would be similar and now they appear more focused and are mentally strong.They now know what to expect at the World Cup and I think the match against South Africa was a great experience for most of these players.The score could have been a bit lower if our defence was better organised, but most importantly, we gained a lot in terms of experience and are confident about the future,” he said.He said they have been working on their defence system, which in his view has improved a lot since returning from South Africa.Namibia were nailed 105-13 in their first full test match against the Boks at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town about two weeks ago.Husselman said Namibia face tough opponents at the World Cup and have been focusing on improving their defence, which he says contributes to at least 70 per cent of a team’s success, while the remaining 30 per cent is ball possession.He said their attack system is already in place, because they have players who can turn on the heat in that department.He said the team watched DVDs of the playing conditions in France, their opposition, where they would be playing and where they would stay.”When we arrive there, we will know what to expect and this has already turned the players into a positive mode for the competition.”Despite Namibia’s slim chances of making it to the next stages of the competition, Husselman, who played professionally in South Africa and for Namibia, believes that the opportunity to compete against the world’s leading sides is an exceptional experience.He said Namibia will go to the World Cup to compete, make use of every opportunity that comes their way, but the most crucial aspect is that they will be doing duty for their country, which they have to do with pride.Husselman said there wont be any more warm-up matches ahead of the World Cup, but added that they will also not concentrate on big contact sessions.”They will play matches among themselves and we will take light sessions for next week, before we leave,” he said.Namibian captain and hooker Kees Lensing says a lot of players who played against South Africa are heroes.In his opinion, the players did well and they have developed into stronger characters mentally, despite playing against some of the biggest names in world rugby.”After that match (Springboks), the players are a lot more confident and there is a positive spirit all round.I am happy that we are working together as a unit.I know it will be tough out there (World Cup), but after the South African experience, I am optimistic that we will put up good fights against some of these teams,” said Lensing.Lensing, who also led the side to the 2003 World Cup in Australia, says any opposition to him does not matter.”It does not matter which team we are going to take on.All I know is that we are all human beings and we will go out there to do what we are there for.To play the game and to do well at all costs,” said the Coastal Sharks big man.Meanwhile, Husselman has confirmed that Namibia’s South African-based hooker Skipper Badenhorst, who plays for the Coastal Sharks, will not travel with the team.Badenhorst was not released by his side and the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) will appeal to the International Rugby Board (IRB) for him not to be involved in any Currie Cup matches either.According to IRB rules, a professional player needs to be released to represent his country, especially at the World Cup, but the Sharks management thought otherwise, arguing that the player was contracted to them and they wanted to use him for their Currie Cup campaign in the absence of their first-choice hooker, Lensing.
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