Tromp’s home away from home

• By Michael Uugwanga

FORMER Wanderers Rugby Club player, Johan Tromp has described his move to Kazan based club, Strela in Russia as a step in the right direction meant to aid his development as he strives to become a better player ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup

The 31-year-scrumhalf joined Kazan from Wanderers after the 2020 World Cup in Japan, where his stellar performances caught the eye of the Russian side.

Tromp has up to now featured in nine matches in the Russian Rugby League, scoring nine points from five tries and one conversion.

“I have had a good outing and with one game left for the year, I have enjoyed my game this year and cannot wait to get going again in 2023 before the season ends in June, a few months before the World Cup.

The team has been training hard in the last two-years to be where we are now challenging for top position and we want to go all the way to the final.

The club is renting my house where I live alone.

The salary is very good and cost of living is much lower than in Namibia,” he said.

“I have had a good outing so far and am enjoying the season.

I am enjoying the moment and we are in great form and look forward to enjoying the moment with my teammates.

The season has been good, we have performed well and yes, I have encountered some bad moments in games but I have learnt and that has been evidenced by the shift I have put in this season. The fact that, I am now a professional Rugby player, who is sorely focused on playing the game has added to my shape as I do not have to worry about work as was the case before I turned professional. Focusing on playing the game (rugby) that I love has helped me improve my skill-set in attack and in defence as well,” Tromp said.

Kazan are currently coached by two Namibian born-trainers, JP Nel and Jaco Engels and are second in the standing on the log with 37 points from 10 matches, six points adrift of first placed team, Enisey-STM Krasnoyarsk who have 43 points from 10 matches.

Third place position is occupied by Lokomotiv Penza on 36 points from nine matches and Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk with 24 points from 10 matches played.

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