Trust the process – Jones

WELWITSCHIAS head coach Lyn Jones has implored the nation to be patient with the side following Saturday’s 47-31 loss to the Blue Bulls at the Hage Geingob Stadium.

Having impressively dispatched the Valke last week for their first win of the season, Jones was again pleased with his charges’ battling display, which kept the fast starting Bulls from running away with the encounter.

With their tails up from their most recent result, the home team tallied five tries with three successful conversions to the visitors’ seven tries and six conversions.

“We had a big result and a big performance last week, and we backed it up today. So, there is a little bit of continuity which is pleasing to see,” Jones told reporters.

“There is a lot of good in our game. The Welwitschias are moving in the right direction. We just need to trust in the process. It does not happen overnight, and we still understand that we are probably 16 to 17 months from taking these guys on and having a realistic chance of winning,” the Welshman said.

A growing belief in their own ability was behind the Welwitschias’ progressive results, captain Rohan Kitshoff added.

“It is a sign of how far we have come, and the improvements we have made. We want to use the SuperSport Challenge to get a good foundation for the Currie Cup First Division, which is a competition that we believe we can really do well in. So, it’s all about ticking the boxes and getting the foundation right, going forward,” said Kitshoff.

While the overall play has gone up a notch this year, the biggest improvement has come upfront, he added.

“I think the forwards [improved the most]. Last year, we lacked a lot in the tight five, but they have picked up a lot,” explained Kitshoff.

“Obviously, it’s not a perfect game, but I think the guys are growing and getting experience, which is the biggest thing.

“There is a big difference between club rugby and the SuperSport Challenge, so for the experience the guys are gaining, a game like today’s helps a lot.”

With two matches of the SuperSport Challenge remaining, Jones is confident his side have gotten adequate preparation for an assault on the Currie Cup.

“I think we have laid the platform. There is understanding and confidence from the boys, that’s all they need to do, and how to play. So, we’re getting there. I’d be disappointed if we don’t get to the semi-finals of the Currie Cup,” Jones said of his side’s ambition.

“However, what’s important is that we stick together and keep building from this tournament, and likewise the Africa Cup that is going to be played shortly, then we can move into the Currie Cup.”

On Saturday, the Bulls shot out of the blocks with outside centre Franco Naude touching down in the second minute, with wing Xolisa Guma following suit in the eighth minute. Fullback Andell Loubser converted both tries.

The Welwitschias struck back in the 13th minute as outside centre Johan Tromp crossed the whitewash, and fly half Pieter Steenkamp’s conversion proved to be their only points in the first half.

The Bulls’ front rowers made their presence felt as Nqobisizwe Mxoli forced his way over, with recent Vodacom Super Rugby debutant Matthys Basson wrapping up the bonus point in the 29th minute.

Loubser was on target with both his conversion attempts to give the visitors a commanding 28-7 lead at the break.

The half-time talk must have been an emotional one for the Welwhitschias as they came out firing in the second half, with replacement utility back Johan Greyling adding a converted try six minutes after the restart.

Man-of-the-match Jamba Ulengo pulled back a try for the visitors before the match withered into a series of thwarted attacking attempts by both teams, with replacement hooker Daniel van Vuuren breaking the deadlock with an unconverted try.

The final 15 minutes exploded into a points-scoring frenzy as replacement hooker Johan Grobbelaar added his name to the score sheet for the Blue Bulls, with the home team scoring their bonus point try courtesy of inside centre Darryl de la Harpe.

Guma got his brace with nine minutes left on the clock, but it was the Welwitschias who had the final say as flank Rohan Kitshoff scored a converted try after the hooter. – Additional reporting from supersport.com.

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