Powell back in Welwitschias side for Kenya

NAMIBIAN captain Corne Powell has been included in the side which will face Kenya in the African Confederations Cup on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium.

Powell, who plays centre, did not accompany the team which beat Zambia 52-10 over a month ago. Powell, who was the vice captain to Sean Furter at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, is one of the most experienced players in the side and his services will be of importance to the Welwitschias, as the rugby side is known.Assistant coach Gielie Vermeulen told The Namibian Sport yesterday that Powell has replaced Ryan Witbooi, who toured Zambia after Powell was left out due to work commitments.Powell said he was happy to come back and is highly motivated ahead of the clash.He also believes the players are confident enough to pull a victory against the north African country.There is a positive vibe in the camp at the moment.We have been trying to improve on some areas that the coaches were not happy with while in Zambia, and I am certain that all will work in our favour on Saturday, he said.Powell will be partnered by his regular play mate Du Preez Grobler in the middle of the park on match day.Vermeulenalso said that Reho Falcons lock Domingo Kamonga will be in the starting line-up this time.He (Kamonga) only played for about the last 20 minutes in Zambia, but will this time get a full game as he has shown his usefulness, especially in the line outs, said Vermeulen.Another change will be Martyn Geray who will come in as tight-head prop for Ivan Gyer, who has been relegated to the bench.The majority of the team represented Namibia in Zambia and some players such as Schalk van der Merwe, Herman Lintvelt and Cor van Tonder also played at the World Cup last year.Vermeulen said they cannot afford to lose the game as they have been working hard since the visits by South African provincial sides and the Springbok team earlier this year.We cannot take this game for granted, we have to win at all costs, said Vermeulen.Powell said Kenya has developed at a quick pace and the visitors would want to prove a point against the Namibians in the 15-man game.Kenya is known for its speedy players who turn out for their country in the sevens game.Kenya will come to Namibia with a victory against Zambia (33-10), but they have never beaten Namibia before.Namibia beat Kenya 32-10 in an earlier encounter in Windhoek.The Namibians will have home advantage and with a supportive crowd, they can upset the Kenyans, said Vermeulen.The Kenyan team is expected in the country today.The Namibian team is as follows: Hendrik Meyer, Jaco Kotze, Du Preez Grobler, Corne Powell, Rian van Wyk, Morne Schreuder, Pieter Rossouw, Jacques Burger, Schalk van der Merwe, Herman Lintvelt, Domingo Kamonga, Martyn Jeary, Cor van Tonder, Robert Dedig.Reserves- Jurie van Tonder, Niel Swanepoel, Roger Thompson, Rene Kruger, Rheeder van Wyk, Ivan Gaya and JJ Husselman.Powell, who was the vice captain to Sean Furter at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, is one of the most experienced players in the side and his services will be of importance to the Welwitschias, as the rugby side is known.Assistant coach Gielie Vermeulen told The Namibian Sport yesterday that Powell has replaced Ryan Witbooi, who toured Zambia after Powell was left out due to work commitments.Powell said he was happy to come back and is highly motivated ahead of the clash.He also believes the players are confident enough to pull a victory against the north African country.There is a positive vibe in the camp at the moment.We have been trying to improve on some areas that the coaches were not happy with while in Zambia, and I am certain that all will work in our favour on Saturday, he said.Powell will be partnered by his regular play mate Du Preez Grobler in the middle of the park on match day.Vermeulenalso said that Reho Falcons lock Domingo Kamonga will be in the starting line-up this time.He (Kamonga) only played for about the last 20 minutes in Zambia, but will this time get a full game as he has shown his usefulness, especially in the line outs, said Vermeulen.Another change will be Martyn Geray who will come in as tight-head prop for Ivan Gyer, who has been relegated to the bench.The majority of the team represented Namibia in Zambia and some players such as Schalk van der Merwe, Herman Lintvelt and Cor van Tonder also played at the World Cup last year.Vermeulen said they cannot afford to lose the game as they have been working hard since the visits by South African provincial sides and the Springbok team earlier this year.We cannot take this game for granted, we have to win at all costs, said Vermeulen.Powell said Kenya has developed at a quick pace and the visitors would want to prove a point against the Namibians in the 15-man game.Kenya is known for its speedy players who turn out for their country in the sevens game.Kenya will come to Namibia with a victory against Zambia (33-10), but they have never beaten Namibia before.Namibia beat Kenya 32-10 in an earlier encounter in Windhoek.The Namibians will have home advantage and with a supportive crowd, they can upset the Kenyans, said Vermeulen.The Kenyan team is expected in the country today.The Namibian team is as follows: Hendrik Meyer, Jaco Kotze, Du Preez Grobler, Corne Powell, Rian van Wyk, Morne Schreuder, Pieter Rossouw, Jacques Burger, Schalk van der Merwe, Herman Lintvelt, Domingo Kamonga, Martyn Jeary, Cor van Tonder, Robert Dedig.Reserves- Jurie van Tonder, Niel Swanepoel, Roger Thompson, Rene Kruger, Rheeder van Wyk, Ivan Gaya and JJ Husselman.