Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Tuesday, 16 July 2013 01:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The knock out games of the schools rugby season has been completed with the final game being worked off on Sunday. Trinity and Wesley had a rather bumpy season with neither team being able to exert total dominance in the league stages. For Wesley to have got into a knock out final and then beat Trinity in the final is a tremendous performance on all counts. It is interesting to note that two of the teams they were promoted from the ‘B’ division emerged as winners of the league as well as the knock out. For good measure Wesley beat the Rajans on their way to the final, indicating that there was little to choose between the two teams as on their day they were capable of beating the other convincingly
I think this augurs well for the game of rugby in that more players at school level will take up to the game as they now will have a lot of self belief.
The final was a tale of some poor handling by the Trinity lions due to intense pressure exerted by Wesley and they capitalised on these mistakes with glee. The turning point was soon after the restart when Wesley scored thrice in the space of a few minutes as the lions fumbled the high ball and dropped vital passes. The Wesley pack played as a cohesive unit with their mercurial and hardworking No. 8 leading the way. Between him and the skipper at No. 9 they formed a potent combination and called the shots. It was evident that there was a game plan in the first half that had limited results and after the halftime break the game plan was changed, which included the use of the high ball and the counter attacking of the lions’ No. 10. In the corporate world we at times are reluctant to admit that plan ‘A’, was not effective and are unwilling to change. The lions made several errors including fluffing the highball, dropped passes and the cardinal sin of missed tackles. Ratwatte of whom a lot was expected had a forgettable game. His missed tackles and failure to find touch when required to do so, provided the perfect platform for a Wesley counterattack. As much as the Wesley players deserve the accolades for a sterling performance, the coaching staff too must be recognised. There was very little emotion on display during the match by Coach Terrence, and he simply continued to drill the basics into his players and the need to stick to the game plan. Some of the other school teams and coaching staff can draw a few lessons from this performance of Wesley, as they played with guts, determination, and self belief and stuck by the rules. Two of the Wesley lads were sin binned more for over enthusiastic play as opposed to foul and dangerous play. The lions coach cut a sorry figure behind the goal posts as he watched the Trinity lads flounder. The best teams in the school season did not have expatriate coaching staff and the fact that the local coaching staff did a sterling job in indeed laudable. The war cry “Zam Zam Zake” was heard well into the night and is now a firm crowd favourite.
With the British and Irish lions’ tour done and dusted with the expected sacking of the Wallabies coach was inevitable. Robbie Deans has had to make way after a rather dismal run at the top and has been replaced by the reds’ coach. After controversially missing out on Wallabies selection, Quade Cooper may make an appearance in the gold jersey once more and be paired with club mate Will Genia. It will be interesting as to who will be given the honour of leading the Wallabies and speculation is rife that it could be Genia. The Rugby Championship will be a test for the new coach and we may see some new faces in the squad.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected])
