Joshua rallies Young Sables

fourth consecutive time.
Despite edging Kenya 13-10 in their open­ing game at the Jubilee Field on Saturday, the Young Sables were not a polished lot but Smallbones believes they have worked on their weaknesses.
“It was the first game and most of us were finding it tough to gel and play as a unit but I believe that tomorrow (today) we are going to put up a much better performance as we have worked on our weaknesses,” said the lock.
Having held their last training session before the game early yesterday morning, the Young Sables took time out to educate the public about the Junior Africa Cup that Zim­babwe is hosting for the second time in a row.
It was at the Sam Levy’s Village shopping mall in Borrowdale that the side spent more than an hour with the team meeting and mingling with the potential fans.
This is where Smallbones spoke about his will to see the side retain the title.
“Like everyone else in the team I was not impressed with the way we played on Satur­day because our game was very close but our rivals Namibia were on putting a huge per­formance and thrashing Tunisia.
“We were down for some reason and it was those small things that we worked on and ironed out over the past few days and I must say we had an opportunity to watch them (Tunisia) play.
“Despite going down, the Tunisians showed that they are a structured side and though against Namibia they did more defending than attacking we are not going to take the game lightly.
“Obviously, having watched them being thrashed by Namibia we would like to put up an equally more impressive display so it is about us going into the game with the right attitude and stepping up,” said Smallbones.
The technical team, led by coach Brighton Chivandire, has made several changes to the side that took on Kenya last Saturday and these include Clive Musasiwa coming in for Kudakwashe Makuvire in the front row.
Matthew Lawson has been relegated to the bench while Smallbones has been moved to number four from number five with Tariro Mashongamhende coming in as a replace­ment for Lawson.
Daniel Rorke is the only one who has retained his position in the loose trio while Luke Masasire, who was with the Zimbabwe Under-19 cricket squad in Australia for the World Cup, gets a flyhalf starting jersey.
Since the Mama brothers of Marco and Dante — who are now based in England — the Surtees brothers of Rees and Ian have become the first to play together in the Under-19 side in three years.
While Rees comes in as a hooker, his young brother Ian will feature in the back line as a scrumhalf, replacing Robert Sargeant who is on the bench.
“We have studied how Tunisia play and we are going to use that to our advantage but we know that it is not going to be an easy game and I have all the confidence in our back three . . . they will rise to the occasion,” added Smallbones.
Harare Select will take on Morocco in the final game of the day and the locals have a chance of springing up a surprise against the North Africans given the way they played in their 27-14 win over Zambia.
Zimbabwe XV
Forwards (1-9): Thabani Ndaba, Rees Sur­tees, Clive Musasiwa, Joshua Smallbones (captain), Tariro Mashongamhende, Lazzie Chisaya, Daniel Rorke, Alva Senderayi,
Backs (15-9): Tarisai Musakanda, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Richard Chigumba, Kudzai Mashawi, Lance Chikodzi, Luke Masasire, Ian Surtees.
Subs: Kudakwashe Makuvire, Robin Bhebhe, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Matthew Law­son, Robert Sargeant, Tinashe Toriro, Mor­gan Vangue.
Harare Select
Houghton Chachona, Jason Manyenyeni, Phil Dhliwayo, Dexter Ganga, Leroy Sibanda (captain), Andrew Matanga, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Antonio Sipriano, Takudzwa Chakaiengesu, Munyaradzi Mashaya, Eddie Kadzere, Micheal Shoniwa, Vulindela Moyo, Ramsey Chirenje, Mkululi Ndhela, Sean dhlamini, Wesley Mukonoweshuro, David Makamba, Micheal Madiro, Itayi Nyakam­baza, Lovemore Mutsvairo, Sheperd Mhem­bere, Lewis Machisa, Milo Harmony.
Today’s Fixtures
Namibia v Kenya (11.30am), Madagascar v Zambia (1pm), Zimbabwe v Tunisia (2.30pm), Harare Select v Morocco (4pm).