adminJeffrey Murimbechi Sports Correspondent
DRAGONS 1, the defending champions of the Spar & Lion Lager Summer 7s rugby sevens tournament, are the favourites in today’s Zimbabwe Summer Sevens Series at their home turf at the Old Georgians in Groombridge.
The tournament was previously a high-profile event featuring the Cheetahs and the Goshawks battling it out with provincial teams from the SADC region and a few international teams.
But the unbranded tourney features local clubs who will then provide players to make up the new national teams that will face two touring squads from Russia next month.
Dragons 1 playmaker Boyd Rous says that despite the pressure of playing for a place in the national team, their priority was to win for their club.
“Yes we are playing for selection as well and it is one of the personal goals to play for the country but this tournament is about the club and not everything is about the jersey.
“The club comes first and your ability to produce for the club will determine whether you will get called up or not,” said Rous.
Staying at the top of the domestic sevens circuit is not an easy thing for the Dragons in the face of a stiff challenge from Harare Sports Club which boasts of one of the most technically sound backline and NRL champions Old Hararians whose defensive and aggressive qualities are well known.
“We will have to take each game as it comes, making sure that we stick to game plans and we are always alert, it will not be easy though, especially with tough opposition like Sports Club.
“It will be a very tough tournament and very competitive now that most national team players are here and the stakes are higher,” said Rous.
This is the first major rugby event of the year and clubs have been working behind the scenes in their pre-season preparations for what is set to be a much busier local rugby season.
Mutare Sports Club are set to make their way back into the NRL and they could surprise a few established teams.
Mbare is also known for producing unpolished gems and, on their day, can cause huge upsets.
Harare Teams
Pool 1:Dragons 1,Old Hararians, Mutare, Mabvuku
Pool 2: Harare Sports Club, Dragons 2, Mbare and ZRP
Online Reporter