The 2016 Export Rugby Championship has been a big learning curve for the Daru Stingrays, who recently bowed out of the tournament, following a massive loss to the Boromas 46-14 over the weekend.
Struggling against stronger opponents, and losing all three of their matches, the Stingrays are however looking forward to 2017.
Coming off three big losses, the Daru Stingrays have walked out of the Export Rugby Championships gracefully, taking with them a number of pointers to improve on.
Head coach, Iko Masere, says while this team isn’t as good as they should be, they will be the very players to bring Rugby 15s to its former glory in the Western Province.
“What we did was try to build Stingrays for the future. What I’m doing as coach is trying these players for the next three years,” said Masere.
Masere says however, their biggest let down during the tournament, was the lack of basic ball handling skills and the breakdown of the rucks, and in particular, the lack of knowledge on World Rugby’s ever changing rules.
“We thought some of the rules in Daru would be imposed here, but after the first game, we realised the change in rules and had to adjust for game two and three,” said Masere.
Bernard Wyborn, flanker for the Daru Stingrays, is someone who has taken this experience highly positively.
“Personally, it was a good experience, being in the spotlight of selectors,” said Wyborn.
Moving forward, Daru Rugby Football Union has promised a bigger and better team in coming years.
“In the next Provincial Championships, I’m confident we’ll come back stronger, despite the Boromas and Gaigais having the facilities, trainers, and proper fields, I’m confident Daru will perform,” said Wyborn.
