adminFrom Paul Munyuki in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
YOUNG Sables coach Brandon Brider says he is aiming for a top-five finish when Zimbabwe hosts the upcoming World Rugby Under-20 Trophy tournament in two weeks’ time.
The former Zimbabwe youth international is expected to name his final squad for the eight-team global competition on Monday.
“Our aim going into the tournament is to finish in the top five or six. Our best so far has been seven and so we don’t have to set huge targets for ourselves but take baby steps.
“We have to be technically sound and technically aware, we know that our opponents (Fiji and Samoa) are going to be very physical but that is another story because we have to focus more on our game and what we are capable of doing,” said Brider.
Zimbabwe qualified for the eight-team tournament as hosts after losing in extra-time to Namibia in last year’s Junior Africa Cup final at St George’s College and he feels he drew a number of lessons from the defeat.
“We have done a lot of strength and conditioning to toughen up the boys physically, we have a two-week camp prior to the tournament and we will also have to work and prepare them mentally as well.
“The best teacher is experience and that is why we are here (in South Africa) to play University of Johannesburg,” added Brider.
Brider first came into a national team technical set-up a number of years ago as assistant to Under-18 coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa and was also involved in the Under-19 set-up where he worked under the then coach Brighton Chivandire.
“This (being head coach) is a totally different role altogether but things have come together because of the team that I work with.
“In the Under-18 and Under-19 I was a team member following instructions and not really leading but I have learnt a lot working with the likes of Godwin (Murambiwa) and Bright (Chivandire).
“These two are some of the most experienced coaches in Zimbabwe, no doubt, I can’t say how much I have learnt from them but I have derived a lot of knowledge from them.
“I have only played two (competitive) games as coach of the Under-20, I still have much to learn and it’s actually different from being an assistant.”
But he also feels that credit does not belong to him alone.
“The results we got last year were not because of me at all, but the team I have been working with the likes of (assistant coach) Bob (Mahari), Doug Trivella coming in to help and the privilege of others who also helped me including the boys themselves. . .we were working as a team.
“I was flattered to hear that I was selected as the new coach of the Under-20.
“It is always a huge honour to be coach of a national side no matter at what level be in the juniors or at the senior level because that carries with it a lot of pride that I hope will be able to instil into the boys as well.”
Brider will name his final squad for the junior world tournament on Monday.
“We have to go into the tournament with 26 players and those will pick from the 35 we have here so the game against UJ helps in us picking those who can stand at this level of the game and it is games like these (against UJ) that help us do so,” added the St George’s College coach.
Online Reporter