Rude reception for new rugby sides

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Friday March 26, 2010 00:00

 

Whales and Lions find themselves occupying the bottom two places while Cheetahs, the 2006 champions and Gunners are in the top four.

The two debutants play tough sides which might dent their chances of making the top four.

BRU secretary, Mpho Masisi said Whales and Lions cannot be judged on their first matches as they are new to the A Division.

He said the A Division provides tougher competition than what both teams were used to.  'Both are used to the B Division but we believe that with time, both will adjust and people will realise their potential,' he said.

Masisi said the fact that Whales and Lions faced tough teams could also be a blessing in disguise for the duo. He said that this will help them adjust quickly to the league.

'The teams will not suffer much when they play against the least competitive sides in the league and this might give them an upper hand against such teams,' he said.

Whales and Cheetahs are scheduled to play either in Jwaneng or Gaborone while Lions and Gunners will play in Jwaneng. Francistown Sharks will face Gaborone Hogs and University of Botswana (UB) Rhinos come up against Tuskers with both matches in Francistown.

Meanwhile, the BRU has not determined the fate  of the abandoned game between Sharks and Rhinos last week.

Sharks are alleged to have refused to take part in the match due to hunger.

The team is said to have arrived at the venue early but because the senior secondary schools tournament was going-on, the players had to wait for hours before their match against Rhinos could start.

Both teams are expected to submit their reports to the BRU. A match commissioner's report recommending measures to be taken will be issued next week.