Welwitschias head coach Allister Coetzee recently shared that he will continue to integrate players with international exposure and experience into the senior national team setup, saying Namibia will need all her best talents at this year’s World Cup in France.
Coetzee’s sentiments follow Byron McGuigan’s decision to switch his allegiance from Scotland to Namibia as the winger prepares to represent the Welwitschias at the 2023 World Cup.
McGuigan, who won 10 caps with Scotland, plans to make his World Cup debut for Namibia against Italy at St Etienne on 9 September.
Namibia are in Pool A at the World Cup alongside hosts France, New Zealand, Uruguay and the Italians.
McGuigan was born in Walvis Bay and later moved with his family to Cape Town and then eventually to Scotland, but thanks to the new World Rugby eligibility rule change, he is now eligible to represent Namibia internationally.
Under the World Rugby rule change, after a three-year stand-down period, a player can move to a nation of their birth or their parents’ or grandparents’ birth and can only switch allegiance once.
Coach Coetzee has promised that McGuigan will not be the first and last player he ropes into the national setup, as he wants to assemble the best possible team.
“We are exploring the option of bringing in more players with international experience who are eligible to play for Namibia. I must emphasize that at a World Cup in any sport, only the best athletes should take the field. Therefore, it’s imperative to field the strongest possible team. If we have the opportunity to add eligible players to the roster, then why shouldn’t we? If we don’t, while the rest of the world is, we’re missing a trick,” said Coetzee.
“We are actively considering adding more players, and Byron has publicly stated his desire to represent his country of birth. I’ve spoken with him, and I can assure you that he is not the only one. Once the necessary paperwork is completed and their eligibility is confirmed, I will reveal the names of two or three more other players. If they have the form and conditioning to contribute, then we will include them.”
We want to give our players a chance to test themselves against the best. Facing a tier-one nation in a friendly match before we head to the World Cup will give us a chance to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and make the necessary improvements. This is a crucial step in our preparations for the World Cup. We are expecting facing South Africa or any other tie one team, he shared.
mkambukwe@nepc.com.na