adminPeter Phiri Sports Correspondent
SABLES’ new players have been presented with a perfect opportunity to prove they deserve playing for the Zimbabwe national rugby team against Madagascar today. This was said by Old Miltonians coach Theo Weale who believes the Sables stand a chance of posting positive results in Madagascar despite having what many view as a depleted side.
Sables’ preparations were thrown into disarray last week after senior players are alleged to have boycotted training citing monetary issues.
Reports state that 13 players were alleged to have been chased out of camp last week on Wednesday by Sables committee chairman Bongani Zamchiya.
This further threw the team’s preparations into turmoil and coach Brandon Dawson and company need to put this at the back of their minds and concentrate on the job at hand.
Dawson had to rope in young and inexperienced players who are however full of energy and the zeal to prove a point that they can perform at the grand stage.
Having won the tournament convincingly last year, the Sables will have a number of factors weighing against them when they open the defence of their title today.
Their opponents are at home which makes them formidable as they will have the crowds rooting for them.
Since the tournament is being used as a World Cup qualifier, all the teams will fight to be there in 2015.
Weale says playing Madagascar at home will not be easy and the Sables need to be at their best to win.
‘‘Playing a team at home is always difficult and the Sables will face an uphill task when playing Madagascar. We have beaten them 49-0 before but that was another game. Now that they are staging this tournament at home, they will be tricky opponents when considering home support,’’ said Weale.
He however, said he was confident Sables will win despite having rookies within their ranks.
‘‘The new guys in the team have a lot to prove and this is their opportunity to do so. These guys have the zeal and energy and not forgetting the desire to represent their country. They might have been thrown at the deep end but heroes will emerge after this tournament,’’ said Weale.
Asked what game plan Dawson needs to employ to produce a winning formula, Weale said the Sables must keep the ball within the forwards by retaining possession as soon as possible.
‘‘They must deny the opposition possession by keeping the ball within the forwards. When they lose possession they must retain it as soon as possible to avoid being punished. But possession will count for nothing if it is not converted into points. Dawson has talented players at his disposal who have the pace, power and good ball handling skills. If these players rise to the occasion by playing according to instructions then we can successfully defend the cup,’’ he said.
Missing from the Sables team are players with a wealth of experience such as Gardner Nechironga, Cleopas Makotose, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya and others who are alleged to have boycotted camp.
Other key players like Daniel Hondo, Shingi Mpofu and Takunda Chifokoyo were ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Those who will be making Sables debut are Garth Ziegler who plays club rugby in France, forwards Mathew Mandioma, Simbarashe Bwanya and Daniel Nhepera.
Others are scrumhalf Boyd Rouse, Craig Elcombe and Cheetahs star Tafadzwa Chitokwindo. Jacques Leitao will captain the team and is expected to lead by example.
Sables squad
Daniel Nhepera, Jakov Jakov, Piet Joubert, Tapiwa Mangezi, Sanele Sibanda, Keith Murray, Jan Ferrera, Martin Wolfenden, Simbarasha Bwanya, Jacques Leitao (captain), Andrew Rose, Biselele Tshamala, Njabulo Ndlovu, Mathew Mandioma, Boyd Rouse, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Craig Elcombe, Shayne Makombe, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Garth Ziegler, Lenience Tambwera
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