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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
TODAY is set to be an emotional day for the Zimbabwe Under-18 Schools rugby side at the Craven Week festival as it marks two years after the death of junior rugby hero Nick Burnett whose young brother Aiden will be representing the country this morning.
Zimbabwe take on Griquas CD today and Aiden will be part of that team.
Bunye, as Nick was popularly known in the local rugby circles, was part of the 2013 Craven Week team that won two of their three games in Polokwane but was unfortunate to suffer a shoulder injury in the final game against Namibia as he lasted less than 10 minutes.
That was the last rugby game he played and that was also the last rugby tournament he took part in before he was involved in a car accident less than a week after helping Zimbabwe to a historic festival appearance where they finished in the top five.
And today his young brother Aiden will be playing at the same festival, in the same position that his late brother played and he hopes to carry over from where Bunye, who had earned a rugby scholarship to the United Kingdom, left.
“It’s quite emotional this was the last rugby tournament my brother played, his last being the game against Namibia and he had had a good season that he wanted it to be his best season in schoolboy rugby.
“It’s emotional to me because I have always wanted to make it as a Rams (St John’s College) number eight, unfortunately last year I was in the second team and could not make it for the national trials and it has always been one of my dreams to play for Zimbabwe.
“My dream is to go to England and play professional rugby. I am not sure yet of the club I am going to join but definitely I am going. I am in my final year of school as I am in Upper Six and I have to pass and go to a university and pass so that I have a fall back plan in life and take over from where my brother left.
“Making it for the Craven Week team means a lot to me and I have a lot of pride in representing my country. It’s every rugby-playing schoolboy’s dream to play at that tournament. I have always been a number eight, apparently just like my older brother,” said Aiden.
Under-18 coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa is also emotional having coached Nick for two years at the Under-18 Craven Week festival and he also believes in Aiden who he described as equally but differently talented.
”It’s an emotional time for us especially the management as we knew the boy pretty well, he was an important part of the team and unfortunately we lost him.
“The reason we lost the final game against Namibia is because he was injured early in the game and we did not have anyone as defensive as him in the team, he was a giant in that department.
“Aiden would know, the St John’s College boys would know,” said Murambiwa.
The veteran coach believes Nick is one of the most talented players he has ever coached at junior level and would be good enough to make it for his Craven Week XV.
“In the two years he played at the Craven Week for Zimbabwe schools he made an impression that he would rank as one of the most talented players I have ever coached at this level and I would say he was in the class of the Mamas (Marco and Dante), (Takudzwa) Mandivenga and (Tafadzwa) Chitokwindo.
“If I were to come up with my best 15 from the team I have coached, he would be in that team and easily so, I have no doubt about that,” added Murambiwa.
However, Aiden feels there is pressure on the Under-18 side to do well at the festival, the biggest game being against Namibia on Saturday.
“The Under-17s won against Namibia, congratulations to them and now the pressure is on us now to do well. I am not sure how strong they are (Namibia) but we want to beat them as well.
“I believe we will put the hard work and we are working for the best result. These are the best players this year at this level and as for me coming from playing at the school level to the country level is a huge difference,” said Aiden.
Online Reporter