adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Cheetahs’ lack of precision in front posts came back to haunt them in final of the Zimbabwe Invitational Rugby Sevens tournament at Harare Sports Club over the weekend.
It was in the final that Zimbabwe managed to score three tries but none of them were converted to give South Africa a 21-15 win over the hosts.
It was because of these missed chances at goal that Zimbabwe handed South Africa their second title in the tournament in as many years.
Had kicker Stephan Hunduza nailed the three conversions, then the Cheetahs could have been left with a better chance of winning the tournament going into sudden death but it was not to be.
However, there was a much improved showing on Day Two of the tournament given that the Cheetahs had lost 5-29 on the opening day of the event also to South Africa.
The South Africans had scored four tries, three of them converted and a penalty against Zimbabwe who only responded with an unconverted consolation try.
With director of rugby Liam Middleton calling on the shots while the relegated Gilbert Nyamutsamba watched from the terraces, Zimbabwe had won two of their three matches on Day One.
It was a show of the youthful Cheetahs with the likes of Hunduza, Biselele Tshamala and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo showing what the future of Zimbabwe rugby could look like if given serious attention.
Chitokwindo gave the Cheetahs the boost they needed in their first game of the tournament against Hong Kong with a brace of tries, while Hunduza added the third.
Just like on Day One, the Cheetahs won two of their three games and both their defeats came at the hands of South Africa.
But of course Zimbabwe’s good performance was not just because of the rookies who shone in the two-day event, it was also through the support of the more seasoned players.
Lanky versatile player Gardener Nechironga believes that the rookies are on the right track but need more exposure to develop and mature in the game.
“Our game plan was to run the ball and spread it out wide, South Africa believed in getting into contact so these young players ended up going into contact as well.
“But they showed that the future of our game is bright and I was really happy with the way they played.
“If we (Zimbabwe rugby) manage to get more players like that then the game will surely be taken to new heights because some day we will not be playing anymore and someone has to continue.
“The way they played shows that they are adapting to our style of play,” said the former Old Hararians winger.
In two weeks time, the Cheetahs are expected to take part in the second tier competition of the Hong Kong leg of the Sevens World Series.
At this tournament, they hope to make it as one of the core World Series members but they can only do so if they win the competition.
Last year, Zimbabwe emerged tops but fell in the second round of qualifiers in London.
Unlike last year, this month’s tournament will also double up as the ultimate qualifier and the Cheetahs have to give their all.
“I am happy because most of the teams that came here who include Russia, Georgia and Hong Kong will also be playing at the same tournament.
“We managed to gauge where we stand and this was also an opportunity for us to see how our opposition play.
“So going into this week we know we have to take our preparations seriously because last weekend’s tournament is all the game time we could get before going to Hong Kong.”
But the Cheetahs were not the only Zimbabwe side taking part as their second string team, the Goshawks, had a chance to show their potential. The Goshawks side consisted of a number of players that have donned the Cheetahs jersey before but life was tough for them.
Captain Hilton Mudariki was not impressed with his sides showing despite winning against Russia.
“We played a tough SA Academy side and we as a side weren’t happy with the performance we put in. The second game was a good one for us. The boys showed tremendous fight to come back and win against a very good Russian side.”
Both the Cheetahs and the Goshaws are expected to go into camp this week before the final 12 for Hong Kong is named.
Day 1 Results: SA Academy 46, Goshawks 0; Russia 28, Georgia 10;
Cheetahs 21, Hong Kong 5; Russia 19, Goshawks 21; SA Academy 12, Hong
Kong 5; Cheetahs 24, Georgia 10; Georgia 32, Zim Goshawks 0; Cheetahs
5-29 SA Academy.
Day 2 Results: Goshwaks 07, Hong Kong 36; Cheetahs 21, Russia 14;
Cheetahs 15, SA Academy 21.
Online Reporter