SCHOOL ACTION
Selborne first XV ready for Komani clash with Queen’s College
East London’s Selborne College first team rugby coach Chase Morrison says his players are in good shape despite the Covid-19 challenges, ahead of their encounter with Queen’s College in Komani on Saturday.
The school is returning to action for the first time since schoolboy rugby went on a hiatus and there’s an air of excitement about running onto the field.
The SA Rugby Union ’ s return-to-play regulations also made things a bit tricky, requiring the coaching staff to be creative in how they went about their preparations. The year missed slowed the development of the players as they have been starved of game time, according to the coach.
“You can see that the boys have gone an entire season without rugby, and the big part of rugby is just playing it,” Morrison said.
“With the preparations, it has been up and down; one week you can do this, one week you can’t. Covid cases here and there, so it’s been very disruptive.
“But I think with all the disruptions and limitations, we have prepared quite well for this weekend. We are definitely shy of game time.
“You can see it when it comes to contact situations. We are in good shape but the limitations were a bit disruptive.”
Morrison knows that the task ahead of them in Komani will be a difficult one and is expecting to square off with an improved Queen’s outfit. In their last match in July 2019, Selborne won convincingly 33-0.
The coach believes that the investments Queen’s have made over the last year will make them strong opposition again.
“Traditionally Queen’s is a very strong rugby school and I think over the last two to three years they have underperformed,” he said.
“Due to that they have a totally new first team management, a new director of rugby, and they have ploughed millions into a new gym and employed a strength and conditioning coach.
“You can see that there’s the intent from the Queen’s side; they are putting effort and resources into their rugby, so I have no doubt it is going to be a fierce encounter.
“You don’t go to Queenstown and win easily on their ground, so our boys know that they will get a hyped-up Queen’s.”
Queen’s first team head coach Lamla Maneli says his side are ready for the game.
“Being back after a long break has taught us to think outside the box,” he said. “The preparations for this weekend started last year in September.
“This weekend will be our third match this season, so, yes, we are ready.
“I have a well-balanced team with plenty of speed out wide they are all good prospects.”