Swallows face their nemesis

THE WSU All Blacks have a golden opportunity to prove they have what it takes to beat the best when they take on Border Super League commanders Swallows in the Nashua Tournament knockout final at Old Boys Nashua Park this evening.

All Blacks managed to upset the Mdantsane outfit twice last season, and with this being their first encounter this season, All Blacks coach Sipho Metula thinks they will be able to continue their recent domination.

Metula said this was the game that everybody has been looking forward to, and he expected it to be a thrilling match.

“It’s the first game we’re playing against Swallows this season, and I can tell you now that it’s going to be a cracking game.

“And we are expecting them to come out guns blazing and all cylinders lined out, and we know they’ll throw everything at us.

“But we’ll be ready to counter their moves and make sure that we fight back with everything we’ve got,” said Metula.

He said they had only one injury, but all other players were in good shape and would be ready for tonight’s game and that should give them some advantage.

“The whole team is well prepared and fit and we have one guy we might leave out, Mihlali Mosi, who has a sprained ankle injury.

“And to be honest with you it was not an easy task to prepare for this game, because Swallows has experienced players.

“So we had to make sure we cover everything and we had to focus on scrums, lineout, breakdowns and other things.

Metula added: “Obviously our defence has to be solid, because they are quick on the offence and our attack has to be spot-on as well.”

He said they were aiming to win the tournament after having performed well in the Varsity Shield – emerging as the runner’s-up at that tournament.

“This has been a good year for us in the Varsity Shield, and we want to achieve everything that we have been planning for ourselves.

“So we want to make sure that we continue with that trend of winning and make sure that we take this tournament now that we have reached the finals.

“And this tournament gives our players an opportunity to showcase what they have to offer, so that we as a technical team know what to expect from them when we’re selecting our squad for the Varsity.”

Swallows coach Yongama Mkaza said they were more than ready for the encounter against their old foe, but he was more skeptical about Metula’s comments to a community newspaper about this particular game.

“He said he is going to teach us a rugby lesson. I don’t know whether that’s because they are from a learning institution or what,” Mkaza said, with a chuckle.

“I hope he will live up to his promises because we are waiting for his lessons and our preparations have gone well.

“Even though our practice was cut short by the heavy rains [Wednesday evening], but nonetheless nothing has changed.

“And the boys are physically and mentally fit and they are ready to rumble.”

Mkaza also added: “So we’ll go there as the students to attend to our lecturer – Sipho Metula.”

● The match begins at 7pm tonight.