Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRETT ROBINSON had to wrestle a treasured Sables jersey from his daughter before packing for his return to Zimbabwe.
The World Rugby chairperson received the shirt 31 years ago after swapping jerseys with a Zimbabwean player during the Emerging Wallabies’ tour of Southern Africa ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Robinson can no longer remember the player who gave it to him, but the jersey has remained one of his most cherished rugby souvenirs.
His daughter recently discovered it among his memorabilia, decided it looked “retro and cool” and began wearing it around the house.
“It has been quite a while since I have been here in Zimbabwe,” said Robinson. “The first time I was here, I was wearing my rugby hat as part of the Emerging Wallabies’ tour to Southern Africa.
“We played our first match of the tour against the Zimbabwe Sables, and the jersey was part of a swap after the game.
“It had been sitting in the house until my daughter went through my rugby memorabilia and took a liking to it.
“She thought it looked very retro and cool and would walk around wearing it.
“I thought it would be a lovely touch to pack it and bring it here, as I wanted to recognise the historical juncture that Zimbabwe rugby is currently going through.”
The Emerging Wallabies won that match 36-0, but Zimbabwe left a lasting impression on Robinson.
He has returned to the country twice since that tour, once to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary and again last week as part of a World Rugby delegation.
This time he brought the old shirt back as Zimbabwe prepared for their first Rugby World Cup in 36 years.
The Sables’ Rugby Africa Cup triumph last year secured their place among the 24 nations that will compete at the expanded tournament in Australia next year.
Qualification has already opened doors.
Zimbabwe competed in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup in July, facing Tonga, the United States and Canada.
Although the Sables lost all three matches, the tournament gave them a measure of the standards they will face in Australia.
It also created individual opportunities.
Winger Edward Sigauke was signed by English side Harlequins after impressing during the July window.
The Junior Sables graduate is expected to join his new teammates in the United Kingdom on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe will face more demanding opposition in November when they play Samoa, Uruguay and Chile in the United Kingdom.
Robinson believes those matches should be part of a much bigger plan.
Zimbabwe’s task, he said, was not only to prepare for Australia 2027, but to ensure their return to the World Cup did not become another isolated appearance.
“The Sables’ Africa Cup win was a great moment for rugby in Zimbabwe and the whole continent,” said Robinson.
“They were last at the tournament back in 1991, but coming back opens up a lot of great opportunities for the country.
“The first was their participation at the Nations Cup, a new tournament that will be played twice every four-year cycle.
“Zimbabwe performed incredibly well, probably exceeding both their own expectations and those of the rest of the world. The tournament exposed them to high-intensity rugby against quality opposition, and the hope is that they will be more competitive by the time they travel to Australia.”
Robinson was part of a three-man delegation that also included World Rugby chief of International Federations David Carrigy and Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah.
During their five-day visit, they met officials from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and received a briefing from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union Interim Management Committee on the state of the game and preparations for Australia 2027.
“We have spent the last couple of days speaking to the rugby leadership, trying to get a better understanding of their progress and challenges,” said Robinson.
“We also took time to speak to the Government about the game and trying to conscientise them on what rugby is, the importance of qualifying for the World Cup and the opportunities it presents. The union should not be satisfied and think only about being in Australia, but also plan and work towards the 2031 edition in the United States and the 2035 event after.
“It is important that they don’t miss the opportunity to embed themselves as one of the world’s top 24 nations for years to come.”
Carrigy, who attended Zimbabwe’s Rugby Africa Cup triumph last year, also warned against allowing Australia 2027 to become a one-off appearance.
“Yeah, I was at the qualifiers in Kampala last year, and it was great to see all the great talent on display from the African states,” he said.
“It showed the abundance of talent and potential on the continent, but, more importantly, Zimbabwe emerging on top was great for the country.
“Now, they have to work towards keeping that standard, making sure it is not a one-off.”
World Rugby has pledged further high-performance support as the Sables build towards Australia.
Its high-performance director, Nicky Ponsford, recently spent time with Zimbabwe’s technical team, and more specialists are expected to follow.
“We came to support the campaign towards Rugby World Cup 2027 and to ensure that we were fully aware of the current situation here with rugby in Zimbabwe,” said Carrigy.
“There are some more high-performance people who will come here to complement your excellent national team technical staff and union staff, so that we know if there are any more needs or areas of support that we can offer.”
Robinson has since returned home with the jersey his daughter had claimed as her own, while Zimbabwe must now make sure Australia 2027 is not another fleeting return.
