SABLES MAKE CHANGES FOR TONGA SHOWDOWN

AMERICAN ADVENTURE…Ambassador David Douglas Hamadziripi, addresses the Sables at the Zimbabwe Embassy in Washington in the United States.

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

PIET Benade has announced the Sables’ starting 15 for the Nations Cup opener against Tonga at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, Colorado, United States, this weekend.

The Nations Cup is a second-tier tournament, the brainchild of World Rugby, that is designed to give participants at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia some competitive game time.

Zimbabwe open their account with a crunch tie against Rugby World Cup opponents Tonga on Sunday morning.

Benade has four personnel and two tactical changes from the team that lost 40-0 to South Africa A last weekend.The trio of Godfrey Muzanargwo, Ian Prior and Jason Fraser walked straight into the starting line-up.

Michael Kumbirai, who started the South Africa A match on the bench, has been slotted into the front row alongside Victor Mupunga and Matthew Mandioma.

Prior has come in for Bruce Houston at flyhalf while forwards Muzanargwo and Fraser will be operating at the lock and eighth-men positions.

Tino Blithe Mavesera has been moved from the eighth-man and reverts to the blindside flank position.

“We were deliberate in choosing the squad and we have faith in every single one of them, especially those that we have chosen for the opener against Tonga,” said Sables assistant coach Ricky Chirengende.

“Like I said, we have faith in the squad, so you are probably going to see that everyone on this tour is going to have a huge part to play in the tournament.

“The guys that won’t play might have a big chance to play in the next game against the United States of America and Canada thereafter.

“So, we have been quite deliberate about that and without giving too much away, you are going to see how we are making use of everyone.”

He added:

“Obviously, the additions of people like Prior, Fraser, Kundiona and McNab is a big boost for us.

“They add a lot of experience and quality to the team.”

The Sables were greeted by the Zimbabwe Diaspora community in the United States and were hosted for a dinner by the country’s Ambassador to the United States, David Douglas Hamadziripi.

“It has been pretty hectic,” said Chirengende.

“Obviously, travelling for more than 30 hours and trying to adjust to the time zones is no joke.”

Zimbabwe Starting XV

Victor Mupunga

Matthew Mandioma

Michael Kumbirayi

Gary Porter

Tino Mavesere

Dylan Utete

Jason Fraser

Hilton Mudariki

Ian Prior