Kicking, ball handling haunting rugby Cranes - Coach

By Johnson Were 

Despite the national rugby 15s side (Rugby Cranes) improving in many areas as they prepare for the Rugby Africa Cup Tier 1B tournament in July, coach Johannes Beukes aka Joe is worried of the players' kicking ability and ball handling.

Joe told New Vision after the trial games on Saturday that the players need to improve on their catching and kicking which are not trained by a coach but improved upon regular and repeated practice.

"Our scrums are good but we have to improve on line-outs, kicking and ball catching which can easily be improved on once the players practice regularly," the South African tactician explained.

Rugby Cranes prop Marshal Tchumcan (with ball) leads teammates through passing drills during the team's training session at Kyadondo on January 11,2015. PHOTO/JOHNSON WERE

He added that he wants to see the fly halves moving and communicating during the game which is lacking at the moment.

"There is a lot of positives in the team but the fly halves are not running the show," Joe Stated.

"I want to see a fly half running and communicating to others, but the current ones are very quiet and no one has an edge over the other," Joe added.

Chris Lubanga and Brian Jemba are some of the fly halves on the team.

Uganda will host the Rugby Africa tier 1B tournament in which the Rugby Cranes will play Senegal, Botswana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, and Mauritius in the tournament due July 2-11 in Kampala. 

The winner of this tournament will be promoted to tier 1A.