Final round ends in disappointment

The final round of the Namibia Rugby Premier League ended in disappointment after FNB Kudus decided to withdraw from their final league match away to FNB Rehoboth on Saturday. 

Going into Saturday’s matches three teams were still in the running for a semifinal spot, but Kudus’ withdrawal meant that Rehoboth received maximum bonus points to finish fourth on the log on 43 points and pip Unam and Western Suburbs’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition. 

Despite not having anything to play for, FNB Unam finished on a high after thumping Grootfontein 68-0 to finish fifth on 39 points, while Suburbs lost 24-17 to Trustco United to finish sixth on 35 points. In another inconsequential match, log-leaders FNB Wanderers beat FNB Reho Falcon 59-14 at the Wanderers ground.

Kudus, who had already qualified for the semifinals, last week justified their decision to pull out of their final league match against Rehoboth due to financial implications.

“The club has taken this decision purely based on the financial implication two consecutive away travelling weekends would have on its coffers. We will never shy away from any challenge, but we had to take a decision that will benefit the club moving forward,” the club said in a statement posted on social media. 

Kudus’ withdrawal, however, brought a highly competitive season to a hollow conclusion for rugby fans as a highly anticipated final round of action was replaced by dead rubbers all around. 

According to reports Kudus’ decision was also influenced by the Namibia Rugby Union’s decision not to allow them to play their semifinal at home at Walvis Bay, with both semis scheduled to take place at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek on 19 August.

Whatever the reasons, or the validity of their motives, it makes a mockery of Namibian rugby’s attempts to become professional and the NRU would be well advised to put rules and regulations in place to make sure it does not happen again. 

In the absence of anything to play for, Unam and Western Suburbs at least both put in strong performances in their final matches on Saturday, with Unam beating Grootfontein 68-0 at the Unam Stadium, while Suburbs went down 24-17 in a tough battle against Trustco United.

Unam ran in a total of 10 tries with rightwing Peace Shimwino and leftwing Shareave Titus each scoring two, while loose forwards Roaldo Rittmann and Berry Gande, lock forwards Conwill Draghoender and Viery Haufiku, hooker Jaden Jeffery and substitute back Camlo Martin each scored one try.

Flyhalf Raschano van Rooi added eight conversions for a personal tally of 16 points, while prop forward Graham April added one conversion. 

United and Suburbs were evenly matched, with both sides’ defences holding the upper hand in the opening stages, before Suburbs took the lead with two tries in quick succession.

Their captain and leftwing Gino Wilson went over in the corner for an unconverted try, while three minutes later, centre Jayden Links went over after being put clear by Justin Nel.

Nel added the conversion to put Suburbs 12-0 ahead, but United struck back and after relentless attacks by their forwards, hooker Gerhard Thirion crashed over for an unconverted try to make the halftime score 12-5 to Suburbs. 

Wilson went over for his second try early in the second half after a quick backline attack, to put Suburbs 17-5 ahead, but United stepped up a gear to gradually take control of the match. 

Lock forward Hanno Husselmann barged over for a try from a forward maul and when substitute forward Dean Blom touched down in the corner, United drew level at 17-17 after a great conversion by Hanreco van Zyl. 

The momentum had swung to United and they clinched the victory when Thirion crashed over from a forward drive, with Jahno du Plessis adding the conversion. 

Wanderers, meanwhile, remained at the top of the log after beating Reho Falcon 69-14 at home. 

Wanderers scored 11 tries, with flanker Anton Steenkamp scoring three, scrumhalf Armand Kotze and centre Danie van der Merwe two each, and fullback Warren Ludwig, rightwing Nandivatu Karuuombe, and replacement forwards Dandre Schreuder and Thomasau Forbes one each, while flyhalf Ethan Koopman added seven conversions.