adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Sables technical director of coaching Liam Middleton is happy with the squad they have assembled for the Windhoek Invitational Tri-series rugby tournament in Namibia but wants his charges to put maximum effort before and during the competition.
The Sables are expected to begin camp at Hartsfield in Bulawayo tomorrow where they will do their final preparations before hitting the road to Namibia next Wednesday.
The event is scheduled to kick off on November 8.
Former Cheetahs coach Middleton said his players have been working hard during their training and is glad that they had not encountered any serious challenges since they started preparing for the event.
“The training is going on well and I am happy that the players are coping well, our squad is strong and hard working although we still have to do our best at the tournament.
“This week we are going to continue with our preparations. We are going to train in Bulawayo where we will have the development side present as we would like to share our skills.
“We have done a number of new and useful things. Our core skills are good, we have also done the strength and conditioning,” said Middleton.
Middleton has a proven track record of successfully implementing and managing rugby development programs having worked at Hartpury Rugby Academy in England and also having been the Academy Manager at Bristol Rugby Club.
The former national Sevens coach has subsequently earned a reputation for identifying and developing talented players.
The Sables have also been joined by England based player Andrew Rose who also has a lot of respect for Middleton’s coaching credentials.
By virtue of holding an IRB Level IV accredited coach and coach educator certificates, Middleton is one of the few highest qualified coach in Zimbabwe.
Rose said an assessment of the material at coach Brendon Dawson’s disposal for the tour of duty which he also described as strong, had left him confident that the Sables will turn on a good show in the Windhoek tourney.
“We have a strong squad and best coaches who know what we need to do to be a strong team. We have the potential and we are definitely going for a fine performance.
“I attended the training last night where we working on a number of areas and I can tell you that our defence is good and also the strength and conditioning which we were doing under the guidance of Grant Mitchell was good.
“I am very happy to come and be part of the Sables. My team Boroughmuir Rugby Club in England, Edinburgh were pleased to give me permission to travel.
Rose was the first international based player to arrive in the country on Tuesday night while Martin Wolfenden was expected to arrive late last night. The rest of the foreign based players are scheduled to come in today.
Sables squad:
Jan Ferreira, Michael Passaportis, Martin Wolfenden, Graham Logan, Kingsley Lang, Jacques Leitao, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendo, Hilton Mudariki, Phillimon Machisa, Boyd Rouse, Linience Tambwera, Tichafara Makwanya, Daniel Hondo, Sean Moen, Simba Chirimuuta, Steven Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Kuda Chiwanza ,Shayne Makombe,
Fullbacks: Lungile Tshuma, Tangai Nemandire, Nick Winwood
Pieter Joubert, Kevin Nqindi, Fidel Nyabusha, Jakov Jakov, Keith Murray, Royal Mwale.
Online Reporter