Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby side will be seeking to make it two wins in two at the Canada International Rugby Series when they take on Uruguay at University of Guelph in Canada today.
The Junior Sables opened their account at the competition with a victory over hosts Canada whom they beat 32-24 on Saturday.
Uruguay also won their opening game.
They convincingly beat Chile 27-3.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) vice president Martin Shone, who travelled with the young side, expects a tough encounter against Uruguay.
“The tour has gone on well up to this stage.
We managed to pick up a win against Canada where we managed to score a last minute try and win the game. Uruguay beat Chile 27-3 in their first game.
“They are quite a big unit. They play a lot of the forward game but I believe the coaches have been watching them and have a plan to deal with that threat.
It will not be an easy game but I am confident that the boys will rise to the occasion. It’s a big stage and the boys have an opportunity to shine,” said Shone.
He feels playing in such competitions will help improve rugby standards in the country.
“It will be nice to have more tournaments of this nature which keep the guys together while continuing to play rugby till the end of the year.
The more they play together, the more they become a unit and a strong team. We have a large squad of Under-20 players.
The coach has a large pool to pick from which is good for us as a country. Having these competitions gives the coach a chance to select his best players to represent the nation,” said Shone.
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.
They have their eyes on the prize in Canada as well.
Zimbabwe has been invited to participate at the Canada International Rugby Series, a tournament organised by World Rugby for the sole purpose of giving next year’s Junior World Rugby Trophy participants the much-needed game time.
In Canada, Zimbabwe will also face Chile in the high-profile four-nation tournament.
Canada will look for redemption against Chile, who lost their opening game against the Teritos.
— @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter