URU unveils new Rugby Cranes coach

By Johnson Were

The national rugby governing body (URU) has unveiled the new national team coach from South Africa.

At a press conference at Lugogo Tennis Court on Tuesday, URU president Andrew Owor said the appointment of Johannes Beukes as Rugby Cranes coach puts Uganda in a good position.

"This is an experienced coach that has handled both amateur and professional coaching for the last 11 years and this experience gives me confidence," Owor stated.

The tactician told New Vision after his first training session with the national rugby team at Kyadondo Rugby Club on Sunday that he is not bothered by the small size of Ugandan players.

"I don't believe in the size of your body but the size of your attitude is what matters to me," Beukes stated.

"What I see is that the potential is there and I have to work on speed, breakdowns and fitness of players so that we are at that required level," He added.

Beukes explained that he was happy having interacted with the former Rugby Cranes coach Peter Magona, club coaches who gave him clues on the character of players and that is helpful.

Beukes took the team through different drills that included rucking, ball passing, avoiding hard tackles, positioning and movement, breaking through the opponent's defence.

On Monday he attended the Rhinos and Warriors training session. He will leave for South Africa after his initial 10 days visit and return to handle the national team as the team prepares for for the international fixtures that include the Elgon Cup Confederation Africa Rugby (CAR) games in July and Elgon Cup June.