adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Sevens rugby side is expected to sail through from the opening round of the World Sevens Series in Hong Kong leg without any major challenges this morning in their quest for core membership.
The Cheetahs need to win the second tier competition which is acting as the core membership qualifier.
Under the guidance of Liam Middelton, Zimbabwe are under pressure to win a tournament that coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba won last year.
Zimbabwe have the second most experienced side in Pool E after Russia.
The Cheetahs have two debutantes on the circuit — elusive winger Stephan Hunduza and Benjamin Nicholls — while Fortunate Chipendu is the most experienced at 22 event appearances.
Gardner Nechironga leads the Zimbabwe attack as he has scored 233 points from 41 tries and 14 goals on the same circuit while captain Jacques Leitao has featured in 17 tournaments scoring five tries.
Njabulo Ndlovu completes the list of Zimbabweans who have double figures on appearances and in his 11 tournaments he has weighed in with 40 points all coming from tries but his value and combination in defence with defence stalwart Jacques Leitao is priceless.
Captained by Leitao the Cheetahs are expected to have it easy when they take to the park today against inexperienced Chile and Barbados while Russia are set to be their only major competition today.
However, unlike last year, the Hong Kong leg is the only tournament that will be used to select the new core member.
“These differences mean a lot because everyone know they have only one chance to make it so it’s a do-or-die situation because the Hong Kong tournament last year was a pre-qualifier tournament, the main qualifiers were held in England and this year the same tournament serves as the qualifier,” said Middleton.
Twelve teams are vying for the sole core membership ticket and it looks like Hong Kong (Pool F) and Japan (Pool G) could give them some tough competition.
All the top two teams from each of the three pools and two best runners up will then qualify for the knockout stage
Zimbabwe open their account against Barbados who are making their debut at the tournament and none of their players is capped on the World Series.
They will then take on Chile before rounding up their opening games against Russia.
Cheetahs Squad:
Biselele Tshamala, Jacques Leitao (captain), Jabulo Ndlovu, Stephen Hunduza, Lenience Tambwera, Hilton Mudariki, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Fortunate Chipendu, Boyd Rouse, Kilvan Magunje, Benjamin Nichols, Gardner Nechironga.
Qualifier Draw
Pool E: Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, Barbados
Pool F: Hong Kong, Italy, Tunisia, American Samoa
Pool G: Japan, Cook Islands, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago
Online Reporter