Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Junior Sables finished second at the Canada International Rugby Series after they beat Chile 35-43 in their final game of the World Rugby organised competition.
The four-team competition featured hosts Canada, Zimbabwe, Uruguay and Chile. Uruguay were crowned champions of the tournament following a 45-28 triumph over Canada. The South American nation beat Zimbabwe 12-35.
In Zimbabwe’s last game, wing Tabonga Ablant and centre Carl Kawodza scored two tries each while the other wing Liberty Sibanda and flyhalf Ben Pattendan scored the other tries.
Pattendan booted in four conversions. Ablant finished with six tries at the tournament.
Zimbabwe started off their campaign at the tournament with a 32-24 victory over Canada but lost to Uruguay.
The World Rugby Under-20 International Series replaced the popular U20 competitions this year.
World Rugby worked with its regions and unions to identify and financially support meaningful alternatives in the form of regional tournaments to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic challenges and international travel difficulties.
The Junior Sables have had a good year after they won the Barthes Trophy U20 tournament in Kenya in April.
The young Zimbabweans managed to get the grail after winning their three matches without tasting defeat.
The Junior Sables defeated Tunisia (19-18) and Madagascar (32-03) in the semi-finals before beating arch-rivals Namibia (19-14) in the final. —@innocentskizoe
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