Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HOSTS Zimbabwe have had the chance to review their first clash with Zambia and will no doubt be eager to perfect their act when the two sides clash again in an international rugby Test at Hartsfield on Saturday.
The Sables cantered to a 42-31 victory at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange grounds.
Skipper Hilton Mudariki acknowledged that it was not one of their fine performances but believes that the Sables, who had been inactive for nine months, played well.
Mudariki is not so bothered by some of the noise being made around their overall showing.
Apart from a long spell of inaction, the Sables also handed debuts to more than five players, and expecting them to be fluid throughout the encounter seems an unrealistic ask.
“I think it was a solid performance with good intent in key areas, but we know we have got another level to go to.
“There were moments where we executed well, but consistency is something we are still working on,” Mudariki said.
He admitted that there are some key areas that need polishing but believes that the positives from last Saturday’s match outweigh the negatives.
“Positives for us were the debutants,” he said.
“A lot of the guys who came on did their job and fitted in well, which was really encouraging.
“We also did well to take some of the chances we created.
“On the negative side, I think we could have matched their physicality a bit better and stepped up more to that challenge.
“There were also a few opportunities we didn’t convert, and our discipline towards the end is something we will need to clean up going forward.”
Mudariki singled out flayhalf David Hayes as one of the stand-out debutants and is impressed with the way the England-based player is quickly fitting into the Sables system and team culture.
“He has settled in well and worked hard, and the group has backed him.
“You can see he is adapting rather quickly and contributing to the team environment.”
The Sables are expected to shift their training base to Bulawayo today ahead of their much-awaited return to Hartsfield.
Despite Zimbabwe being hit by a few withdrawals, including the duo of Michael Kumbirai and Deane Makoni, who have returned to their clubs in France and South Africa, respectively, Mudariki is happy with their preparations.
“Preparations have been good.
“The boys understand what is at stake, and there has been a lot of attention to detail this week.
“We know the Zambians will come hard at us but we are working towards matching that.
“The good news is that we have a clean bill of health aside from the usual bumps and bruises.
“Nothing major.
“The medical team is managing things well, and we should have a strong squad available,” he said.
Their opponents on Saturday, Zambia, have been doing rounds familiarising themselves with the local fan base and trying to woo the support of their countrymen who are in Bulawayo.
The Zambians have declared their intentions to upstage the Sables, and as such, Mudariki expects the second contest to be tougher.
“However, for us, it’s about staying focused on the job at hand and controlling what we can control.
“We respect them, but we are backing ourselves to win again.
“For us, it’s about fine-tuning our skills, recovery, and making sure we are mentally and physically ready.
“Come Saturday, it then becomes about delivering a complete performance,” Mudariki said.
