Mudariki, Prior doubtful for Canada

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

SABLES skipper Hilton Mudariki is a major doubt for Zimbabwe’s Nations Cup tie against Canada this weekend due to injury.

The Zimbabwe scrum-half came on as a second-half substitute during the Sables’ 31-15 loss to hosts the US, but failed to finish the match due to a calf injury.

He is currently being assessed by the Zimbabwe medical team before any decision can be made.

“I picked up a calf issue during the game, but it’s too early to say any more,” said Mudariki after the match.

“I’m being assessed by the medical team, and we are waiting on the scan results before making any conclusions,” he said.

Mudariki was one of two injury concerns from the disastrous match that saw Zimbabwe’s win-less run in the competition continue after they previously lost to Tonga 36-26 in the tournament opener.

Ian Prior was ruled out of the US match hours before kick-off, with the Zimbabwe fly-half believed to have picked up an injury during training in the lead-up to the game.

The 35-year-old Australia-based back-line player is also being assessed by the Sables medical team.

“We are still waiting on the results of the medical assessments and scans, so I don’t want to speculate,” said Mudariki.

“Ian (Prior) is being assessed by our medical team, and we will have a clearer picture once those results are back,” he said.

Zimbabwe have since made the trip to Canada, where they will face the hosts at the Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.

The match is set to wrap up the North American leg of the Nations Cup, and Zimbabwe will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways.

The Sables have lost their opening encounters of the competition, which was designed specifically to give next year’s Rugby World Cup participants competitive fixtures.

Their most recent loss came at the hands of former hosts, the US Eagles.

There, the Sables squandered a 15-12 half-time lead after tries by Edward Sigauke and Aiden Burnett, plus a conversion and penalty from Bruce Houston, canceled out scores from Conner Mooneyham and Perry Mayo and a conversion from Chris Hilsenbeck.

The hosts, however, took full control of the second half and completely shut out Zimbabwe.

In turn, the Eagles added to their tally with tries from Nathan Den Hoedt and Cory Daniel.

Luke Carty chipped in with a conversion and two penalties to put the game beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.

“It was a game of two halves,” said Mudariki.

“We were pleased with our first-half performance and the way we stuck to our plan to take the lead into the break.

“Overall, though, we are disappointed that we couldn’t maintain that level for the full 80 minutes against a quality US side.

“Small moments made the difference.

“Our accuracy and discipline dropped in the second half, and we spent too much time defending.

“Against a team like the US, those lapses get punished. 

“We will learn from it and look to improve,” he said.

The Sables’ opponents this weekend, Canada, have also had a shaky start to the tournament.

The North Americans began with a 42-all draw against Spain before they were thrashed 38-14 this past weekend by Portugal.

Both teams will be desperate to get a win and wrap up the July window of the competition on a high.

“Canada will be another tough challenge, and we will use the week to prepare well,” said the Sables skipper.

“The biggest positive is that we have shown that we can compete against quality opposition.

“The areas for improvement we hope to iron out are our discipline, accuracy under pressure, and being able to sustain our performance for the full match.

“We will also be focusing on our set piece, breakdown, and game management,” said Mudariki.