Cheetahs in tough Hong Kong test

membership.
Twenty four teams are expected to take part in the International Rugby Board three-day tournament that has been split into two categories — the core and the none core — and it is in  the none core section that Zimbabwe will battle it out.
The Cheetahs have been drawn in Pool E of the Asian tournament where they take on Canada, Spain and the Philippines in their quest for glory and if they manage to get the core membership badge, they will become the third core team from Africa following neighbours South Africa and Kenya.
“This is going to be the most difficult tournament the Cheetahs have ever played because they have to give a hundred percent or its nothing.
“We are fighting to be among the core teams and this is our chance to do so. Only three teams will make it and we have to be amongst the top three from the second tier. This is a chance we can’t afford to lose,” said Hobson.
Having featured in the IRB Sevens Series for a number of seasons, the Cheetahs have notable experience and Hobson is banking on the knowledge he has of the opposition they will face in Asia.
“We know our strengths and weaknesses we have not been aggressive when it comes to the breakdown but we have been working on that because we want to improve with each tournament we play.
“Spain beat us last time in the dying minutes of the game in Hong Kong as well and they are a good side, Canada have been playing well but I have never heard or seen anything of the Philippines,” said Hobson.
The Philippines are taking part at the tournament for the first time.
The format of the second tier tournament that the Cheetahs will be taking part in is such that the top two teams from each of the three groups of four and the two best runners up will make it to the quarter-finals.
Then the winners, runners up and the third-placed side will qualify for core membership where Hobson said his side would need to win at least five games or make it for the semi finals in order to make their dream come true.
“With the event doubling up in 2012 as the HSBC Sevens World Series core team qualifier, the renowned Hong Kong event will play host to two 12-team competitions played side by side. One competition will feature the current 12 HSBC Sevens World Series core teams, who were drawn into three pools — A, B and C.
“The other competition features 12 teams from across the six IRB rugby regions, who will play for three additional core team places in the 2012/13 World Series and were drawn into pools D, E and F.
“The HSBC Sevens World Series qualification tournament features 12 teams, including Regional champions from all six IRB regions, who will play for three additional core team places in the 2012/13 World Series.
“More significantly, the two finalists and the winner of the 3rd-4th play-off will earn core team status on the 2012/13 Series,” read part of a statement on the IRB webpage.”
And as part of their preparations, the locally-based Cheetahs are taking part in the Spar Sevens Summer Series that was won by defending champions Old Georgians at the weekend.
The Dragons staged a magnificent come back to win the final 21-14 having trailed 14-0 at half time but Sports Club remain on top of the series standings that will be determined by the final leg this weekend at Harare Sports Club’s cricket field.
This week’s tournament will be used a field run for the International Spar Sevens tournament set for the same venue next weekend where Zambia, Botswana, South Africa Academy and a host of South African provincial sides are set to take part.
The majority of the foreign-based contingent who include Manasah Sita, Justin Coles, Mike Morris, Jonathan McWade, Graham Kaulback, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo are expected early next week.
Competition 2 – Core team qualifier, 2012/13 World Series
Pool D: Tonga, Uruguay, Hong Kong, China.
Pool E: Canada, Spain, Zimbabwe, Philippines.
Pool F: Portugal, Russia, Japan, Guyana.
Cheetahs Squad:
Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Mike Morris, Manasah Sita, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Kelvin Magunje, Daniel Hondo, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Jonathan Mcwade, Wesley Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Gardner Nechironga.