By Kuvee Kangueehi WINDHOEK The National Rugby Team captain Kees Lensing said his team now needs to start working hard to prepare for the 2007 IRB World Cup finals in France. Soon after touching down at the Hosea Kutako Airport, Lensing said the Namibia team should make the country proud next year. “They are prepared to work very hard and my team will not disappoint you at the finals next year”. Lensing, who plays professional rugby in South Africa, noted that the sponsor and the government should walk all the way with them to France. The strongly built player also thanked MTC for assisting them financially especially during the tough qualifying process. The sentiments of Lensing were echoed by the President of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), Dirk Conradie, who stated that the next seven to eight months will be important as the team needs to prepare properly. He vowed to give his total support to the team during the preparations. “Kees, you and the team can call me any time you need assistance; you have my number,” he said. Conradie also called on the sponsors to come on board in order to make the preparations successful. The deputy minister of National Service, Sport and Culture, Pohamba Shifeta, who was also at the airport to welcome them home, said the team should work hard to have a good World Cup finals. “We must not only be participants next year but we should compete with the best teams in the world.” Shifeta said he was proud of the country for qualifying for the third consecutive Rugby World Cup finals and he was impressed with the performances.