adminSenior Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe rugby team to face Russia at Central Stadium in the city of Krasnoyarsk on August 2 in a World Cup qualifier has been named. Twenty four players will make the trip and leave on Friday for the crucial match to be played on August 2. It is a must win game for either side and fireworks are expected in the game from two countries which are desperate to join the world’s elite sides.
The World Cup finals to be held in England next year are the ultimate prize in the sport.
Brendon Dawson is the coach of the side. He said he would take 24 players one less than the 25 he has previously travelled with. The decision, he said, was at the insistence of the orgainsers.
“We are sending in 24 players instead of the 25 that we have been travelling with. I understand this is due to the demands of the organisers. In terms of who is going to Russia, it’s basically the same team that travelled to Madagascar. Shayne Mukombe comes into the squad, replacing Gerald Sibanda,” said Dawson in a statement yesterday.
“In terms of preparations, players are preparing from their bases and we will leave on Friday for the four-day camp in Russia. The local based players will meet with the South Africa-based players in Johannesburg briefly before we connect directly to Russia. Players who are in Europe will fly to Russia on Friday night and we will then start our camp there before we play the hosts,” said the former senior national team star.
The winner of the match will not be guaranteed qualification for the finals as they have to play either Chile or Uruguay.
Dawson said: “I am confident we will qualify although I will be quick to admit that this will be a tight encounter. We will play against the winner between Chile and Uruguay.”
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Nyararai Sibanda will travel as head of delegation while Cyprian Mangende will be assistant coach, Brighton Chivandire is team manager and Sharon Mkumbudzi is the team’s physiotherapist.
Liam Middleton, whose presence in both the Sevens and conventional 15-a-side teams has been an issue, will not be travelling this time around.
Without his alleged interference, Dawson and his team would have to prove that they are just as competent and suitable for the job.
His assistant and team manager Chivandire are experienced coaches in their own right who have seen most of the players develop from schoolboy rugby into the pros ranks.
The team
Joubert Pieter, Murray Keith, Kevin Nqindi, Jan Ferreira, Sanele Sibanda, Graeme Lawler, Jacques Leitao (vice captain), Lambert Groenewald, Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’neill, Daniel Hondo (captain), Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Danny Robertson, Lawrence Cleminson, Matthew Mandioma, Farai Mudariki, Takunda Chifokoyo, Fortunate Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Peter du Toit, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe
Online Reporter