Duncan impressed with improvement in Cranes
Duncan in a pensive mood during Rugby Cranes’ Elgon Cup engagement against Kenya. PHOTO BY Eddie Chicco
What you need to know:
Rugby. As the Rugby Cranes prepare for the Rugby Africa Tier 1B tournament starting on Sunday, coach John Duncan is happy with the team’s attitude and work ethic in training
KAMPALA.
Rugby Cranes coach, John Duncan, is impressed with the effort put in by both his support staff and players as they gear up for the Rugby Africa Tier 1B tournament that starts this Sunday at Kyadondo.
“I have seen vast improvement since I began working with the team. I am impressed with how fast they are learning some of the new things,” said Duncan after Monday evening’s training session.Duncan is barely three weeks on the job after taking over from fellow South African Johannes Beukes, who resigned and returned home.
He started off impressively, guiding the Rugby Cranes to victory over Kenya in the Elgon Cup and now wants the Ugandan side to build on that triumph. Uganda open continental campaign against Ivory Coast on Sunday.
The two last met in Tunisia last year in Tier B with Uganda losing 19-22 after they conceded a last minute try. “For a country where the game is still at amateur level, it’s encouraging to see players rushing from work and school just to fight for a place on the team,” Duncan said
“There is too much hunger and you can see it in the players and the technical team. Everyone wants to get that Tier A promotion.”
Uganda hosts Botswana, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mauritius from July 5 to 11 for the continental showpiece that will have one of them promoted.
Cranes will enter residential training on Thursday at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi.
residential camp
The Rugby Cranes start residential training at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi on Thursday in preparation for the continental tournament kicking off on Sunday.
