Aim is two World Cup wins – Allister

Namibian head coach and director of rugby, Allister Coetzee, says he aims to win two matches at the World Cup in France, with his team from the Land of the Brave. At the second national training camp attended by 45 players in Swakopmund on Saturday, Coetzee said: “Two wins will be a bonus and that’s what we are going for. We will shoot for the stars and hopefully land on the moon. We have to aim higher than just going for one win. We have talent here and once the players understand that they play for the country and its people, they can go and make anything happen on the field. It is up to the players to use and capitalize on the opportunity.” He expressed his satisfaction with the progress being made by the players in the extended group. “I’ve noticed a big improvement since the last training camp we had in Windhoek and I am quite pleased with where the players are at. They are from different clubs, with different levels of conditioning and playing in various competitions. “When this is the case what normally happens is that some deconditioning starts to set in towards the end of their seasons. We are currently trying to get everyone on the same standard and that is why we are doing baseline tests, like running the Bronco,” Coetzee said. He highlighted that some of the players are participating for the very first time and that he was really pleased with where the conditioning aspect of the team is at the moment. “There is still a lot of room for improvement. We must remember that the All Blacks who is placed in our group have already played two matches and we have not played any. They played Argentina and that is where I am looking at and gaging us, to make sure we get our players to a level where we can be competitive.” Coetzee said that the Nations Cup is being used as perpetration for the Rugby World Cup in France and that the Namibia National team wants to win every test that it plays. The focus right now is to get 35 players for the Nations Cup who are ready technically, medically and that are well-conditioned. While we go ahead with the Nations Cup plans we have to make sure that the bigger group continues functioning.” He added that winning a couple of games at this tournament will help with improving Namibia’s seeding in the world ranking. “Winning against Uruguay and Chili will ensure that we move up on the world ranking and this is important for us. Our objective is to make sure that we work on combinations and give players game time. We also want to look at our systems and make sure that we are well prepared to win test matches.” According to Coetzee who started as coach of Namibia in 2022 with a tour to Canada and Spain, playing in the Mzanzi Cup was a huge step up for the players. “There is an upward curve and I am really pleased about that. The players raised the bar in terms of their game understanding, conditioning and physicality and this will help at test match level. I am not saying we are there yet but at least it helped the local based players. It is a big step from club level to international level and we could at least test ourselves physically against bigger packs. Now we need to play to see if our systems and combinations work out well.” He further said that injuries is obviously a big concern. “I am nervous about it. Namibia is a small country in terms of Rugby numbers. The front row (thigh five) is always a challenge for us at the World Cup and should you pick up and injury or two you are in a spot of bother. We cast the net a bit wider and accommodated a couple of youngsters.” Coetzee also paid tribute to the Namibian rugby fans saying they are passionate and always behind the team. “We value the support and really want to make the country proud.” Leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Namibia will compete in the Rugby Nations Cup, playing against Argentina XV and Uruguay in Montevideo and against Chile in Santiago. A yet to be selected team of 35 players will depart for South America on Sunday 23 July. The training squad members are: Props: Herman Agenbag, Jason Benade, Aranos Coetzee, André Rademeyer, Desiderius Sethie, Herschell van Wyk, Casper Viviers. Hookers – Wikus Jacobs, Gihard Visagie, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Louis van der Westhuizen. Locks: Tiaan de Klerk, Adriaan Ludick , Ruan Ludick, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Tjiuee Uanivi, PJ van Lill. Loose forwards: Adriaan Booysen, Wian Conradie, Richard Hardwick, Max Katjijeko, Prince !Goaseb, Johan Retief, Oderich Mouton, Johan. Scrumhalves: Helarius Kisting, Damian Stevens, Jacques Theron. Fly-halves: Cliven Loubser, PW Steenkamp, Tiaan Swanepoel. Centres: Danco Burger, Johan Deysel, Le Roux Malan, Jay-Cee Nel, Natie Janse van Rensburg, PJ Walters. Wings and full-backs: JC Greyling, Lloyd Jacobs, Warren Ludwig, Gerswin Mouton, Chad Plato, Divan Rossouw, André van der Berg. Released or injured players: Herman Coetzee, Haitembu Shikufa, Lebeau du Preez, Wynand Breytenbach, Cameron Langenhoven, Thomasau Forbes, Oela Blaauw, AJ Kearns, Owen Hawanga, Alcino Izaaks, Hillian Beukes, Lesley Klim, Lorenzo Louis.