Rhinos' loss demoralise Gunners

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday August 6, 2010 00:00

Gunners' coach, Neal Gouws said his players are shattered by the Rhinos loss and morale is low since they reported for camp on Tuesday to prepare for the duel for third place against BDF Cheetahs at Wharic Park in Gaborone. 'I told them that they must keep their heads high and do their best. They must finish the season strongly. Next season we want to climb the ladder again. We played well this season and only lost once against Rhinos,' said Gouws.

He said his side has made a statement and other teams are aware that they are not a walk-over. He noted that the five South African players, Jean Ferreira, who is a hooker, Zirk Buys (fly-half), Vinc Venter, a full-back, Morene Scheepers (centre-forward) and Frans Venter (full-back) have left a mark at Gunners. Gouws said he is working hard to identify new talent that can take the team forward. He complained about the poor handling of their semi-final tie against UB Rhinos. He said in addition to dubious decisions by the man at the centre, there were no competent assistant referees.

'Assistant referees were just picked from the crowd. It was a semi-final and the BRU should have sent a professional referee like they did during the game between Gaborone Hogs and Cheetahs, who was from South Africa. I could have cancelled the game when I heard that the referee was not professional,' he said.

He stated that his side played the best rugby during the semi-final but were disappointed by the referee's decisions that cost them the game. He said when the two teams were tied at 18-18, one of his players was cautioned, giving the visitors a chance to score. He pointed out that it is the same referee who cost them the game against Rhinos last season. 'We are really not happy about the decisions he took,' he said.  He pointed out that this has been a learning curve for his players because they know how it feels to win the league and to lose it. He believes that his team will be strong for the next few seasons if the squad remains together.