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Sports Reporter
A TEST of character awaits hungry Sables this afternoon when they plunge into battle against hosts Hong Kong in the Nations Cup rugby tournament. This is the Sables’ first game since losing 80-6 to Namibia three months ago and coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge believes the Asian tournament is an important launch pad for his side’s 2019 Rugby World Cup preparations.
With a bearing on world rankings after the tournament received full Test blessings from World Rugby, the Zimbabwe senior side is looking at making the best out of this week-long event
This is the second ever meeting between the two sides, the first Zimbabwe losing 22-7 in Dubai two years ago but the Sables camp say they are hungry, not only to even affairs but for a win that will see them go up to their highest ever World Rugby ranking.
With a number of youthful players set to earn their debuts this afternoon, winger Tafadzwa Mhende feels that there is a lot of pressure for everyone to impress given that there is a lot of competition for places in the team.
“We’ve got a good group of youngsters in the team so everyone just has to be focusing on minimising mistakes because these young players are really hungry to play,” Mhende said.
The former Cheetahs star feels that since Zimbabwe are a more powerful Sevens side compared to Hong Kong, they have an upper hand and that there are a number of foreign-based players that are exposed to a higher level of rugby, comes in as an advantage to Zimbabwe.
“Most teams are measured by their Sevens teams’ performance. For example, Fiji have been dominating in Sevens and now their 15-a-side is getting better so I think with Hong Kong we will be able to match them man for man and I’m very confident with the squad we have.
“We’ve got a good set of forwards and the likes of Alva Senderayi (debutante) and Scotland-based flanker Andrew Rose who will give you a 110 percent effort.
“Most of our players playing outside Zimbabwe, they are playing competitive rugby and you can tell by the way they are conditioned,” said Mhende.
However, like Zimbabwe, Hong Kong have only been together for a few days and they have also roped in a number of debutantes but captain Nick Hewson, who was part of the squad that beat Zimbabwe two years ago, says they will not take Zimbabwe lightly.
“Zimbabwe have a very heavy forward pack and our first order of business is to combat that, we needed to exert a lot of effort to stop the momentum of their heavy ball-carrying forwards.
“The win against Zimbabwe was a long while ago, so we aren’t looking too much at that game. They have won the African Cup previously and played Russia in the Rugby World Cup repêchage and competed well, so we are under no illusions about their quality.
“There is some nice talent coming through and they now have an opportunity to stake their claim and establish themselves in the team, which enhances the competitiveness of the squad as a whole.
“Zimbabwe will be a tough test but our big focus is on making sure we have our own processes right and denying them the opportunities to bring their strengths into the game,” Hewson told the Hong Kong media.
Squads
Zimbabwe
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Farai Mudariki, Tatenda Murwira, Brain Makamure, Gabriel Spapate, Royal Mwale, Nico Nyemba, Kapuya, Martin Wolfenden, Jan Ferreira, Biselele Tshamala, Andrew Rose, Alva Senderayi.
Backs: Charles Jiji, Kazembe, Tichafara Makwanya (vice, Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Manasah Sita, Riaan O’Neill, Lungile Tshuma, Tafadzwa Mhende, Malvern Maparura, Ngoni Chibuwe, Gerald Sibanda, Gardner Nechironga.
Hong Kong
1-15. Rohan Cook, Alex Harris, Jack Parfitt, Jack Delaforce, Adrian Griffiths, James Cunningham, Matt Lamming, Nick Hewson (c), Tom Marshall, Ben Rimene, Brad Raper, Lex Kaleca*, Tyler Spitz, Charles Higson-Smith, Edmund Rolston
Replacements: Alex Ng Wai-shing, Jamie Tsang, Jamie Pincot, Paul Dwyer, Toby Fenn, Charles Cheung Ho-ning, Niall Rowark, Jamie Robinson.
Online Reporter