Chronicle EditorPaul Munyuki Sports Correspondent
The Sables might have suffered their eighth straight defeat, but a hearty comeback from 0-14 to lose 15-19 against Russia yesterday showed the future could be bright for the Zimbabwe senior rugby side.With 30 minutes on the clock, Cypran Mandenge’s charges were 0-14 down but added 15 points in their first game of the Regal Hostels Cup of Nations tournament in Hong Kong yesterday at King Park Stadium.
All of Zimbabwe’s points came from the boot of fly-half Lenience “LT” Tambwera with Russia adding only one try.
The last time the two sides met was in the same competition exactly a year ago, Zimbabwe only managing a face-saving try after losing 5-50.
Going into the break Zimbabwe were trailing 6-19 but in the second period the Sables put up a great defensive structure that was complimented by punishing Russia with the boot, adding nine more points to the board.
Of course, there were a number of changes to the side that toured Hong Kong this month, the likes of Brian Makamure, Michael Passaportis, Andrew Rose and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo making a return after lengthy periods.
Mandenge would like to once again prove that Zimbabwe is a serious rugby nation.
“The result and performance by the whole team shows that we are on the right track . . . we tried,” said former Old Hararians and Germany-based winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
“Just an indication that with enough training and adequate time to prepare we can become a better unit . . . this is a team sport and we need to be together as often as possible.
“I think the team just has a mixture of good players who have grown into the game . . . and that came in handy today (yesterday).”
And this is exactly what this tournament is as it will mark a new chapter for Zimbabwe rugby as they are set to play Poland for a series of matches in Zimbabwe next February.
Zimbabwe take on Hong Kong on Tuesday before rounding up their campaign with a Papua New Guinea battle.
Sables Squad
Tight Five: Denford Mutamangira, Mathew Mandioma, Brian Makamure, Witness Mandizha, Michael Passaportis,
Loose Forwards: Biselele Tshamala, Andrew Rose, Njabulo Ndlovu
Midfield: Kuziva Kazembe, Lenience Tambwera, Riaan O’Neil, Kudzai Mashawi
Back Three: Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Lungile Tshuma.
Replacements: Tolerence Zishe, Irvine Nduwa, Lawrence Cleminson, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Connor Pritchard, Joshua Gando, Tichafara Makwanya, Brad Ellse
Online Reporter
dyton mupawaenda