Old Mutual Under-14 national rugby trials big success

St Columbus players (left) tussle for the ball against Hamilton players in lineout during the Old Mutual Matabeleland trials held at Hartsfield ground over the weekend

Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Report
THE just-ended Old Mutual rugby schools national trials have been described as a big success.
Players in the Under-14, 16 and 18 age groups attended trials at Falcon College and Hartsfield Rugby Stadium.
Promising players from all the provinces around the country battled for places in the teams participating at next month’s Coca-Cola Craven Week tournament in Durban. The national Under-14 coach Brian Rademeyer said they were searching for 22 players from each age group who will travel to SA.

South African provincial and national teams from Namibia and Zimbabwe will take part.
Assistant coach Orlando Fernandes praised the level of talent exhibited by youngsters during the trials.

“The boys played well but we are going to continue the selection in Harare. The select side that had players recommended by school coaches and the Harare team did well.

“A lot has changed in terms of talent during the past two years but most coaches still focus more on defence. There is not much free flow because the game has become more technical and tactical but there is improvement when it comes to the handling of the ball,” said Fernandes.

Meanwhile, Old Mutual regional manager Margaret Vera said $90,000 has been set aside for schools rugby this year.
She promised that they will continue to support the development of rugby as they were committed to nurturing talent.

“Rugby is a sport that is promising in the country and its now involving many school pupils unlike in the past when it was a game for elite schools only. As a corporate investor, we like to see the sport develop and grow that’s why we chose the development side which is schools rugby,” she said.

Vera said the partnership with Zimbabwe Rugby Union is here to stay. “We are going to nurture this marriage for the mutual benefit of both parties,” she said.
Reginald Querl, Falcon College headmaster and head of schools rugby in the country, applauded the gesture by Old Mutual. “We would like to thank our sponsors for a job well done. And to the youngsters, it’s a privilege for every one of you to make the grade to be selected into the national side,” he said.

Old Mutual Under-14 Zimbabwe Young Sables Squad
Cole Onarati (Saint John’s), Lance Annadale (Saint John’s), Bradley Gambiza (Saint Georges’ College), Anthony Hadebe ( Christian Brothers College) Jordan Cowley (Saint John’s College), Simba Muzivi (Gateway), Patrick Plunket (Saint John’s College), Nataizya Chininga(Prince Edward), Rukudzo Muyeza (Saint Georges’ College), Tawanda Muyeye (Peterhouse), Tinomukudza Chifumbu (Prince Edward), Tadiwanashe Kadziyanike (Saint John’s College), Munashe Chaitezwi (Peterhouse), Tanaka Makanya (Falcon College), Michael Booth (Saint John’s College), Tanaka Tachiwana (Midlands Christian College), Declan Ralphs (Saint John’s College), Simbarashe Chitaka (Falcon College), Rory Plunket (Saint John’s College), Michael Frost (Saint John’s College), Kudakwashe Makoni (Prince Edward) Sparrow Campbell (Falcon).
Non-travelling reserves: Matthew Pattenden (Hellenic), Mayibongwe Munaphi (Falcon College), Lionel Magetsi (Peterhouse), Ethan Wilson (Milton).