Young Sables vow to fight back

YOUNG Sables coach Shaun De Souza says they have quickly put behind them their opening match defeat at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy finals with all focus now turned on to the next assignment against Uruguay tomorrow afternoon.

Zimbabwe lost the opening game against Scotland 64-33 and will now seek to redeem themselves with victory over Uruguay who beat USA 33-31 in the other Pool A game played at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

All matches are being played at this stadium.

De Souza says they have worked on their shortcomings in their defeat against Scotland.

“It wasn’t the start we wanted but it has not dampened our morale. The boys are still working hard. We have looked at our previous game and picked areas we need to improve on. I have been impressed with the boys and how they have carried themselves in the competition.

“We have set ourselves the target to get a podium finish and we are still on track. Our next opponents are good with set pieces so we will see how we will cope against them,” said De Souza.

Lock, Tanaka Kambani, has been called up to join the Sables camp following an injury to Shingi Manyara in the opening match defeat.

The action continues tomorrow when the Pool B match between Samoa and Hong Kong China will open proceedings.

Uruguay then take on Zimbabwe before the other Pool A match between Scotland.

Spain and hosts Kenya play in the final match.

The eight teams – Scotland, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Spain, Samoa, Hong Kong- have been placed into two groups of four teams with each team playing three games.

The top teams from each group will then meet in the final with the winner gaining promotion into the more glamourous World Rugby Under-20 Championships.

Zimbabwe sealed their slot at the tournament in April after an emphatic 60-6 win against Tunisia in the semi-finals of the Rugby Africa Barthes U20 Trophy.

This followed on from an earlier 55-0 win against Ivory Coast.

With the other finalists, Kenya, already qualified because of their status as host nation, reaching the final was sufficient to ensure the Young Sables would be Africa’s second team at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy finals.

But the Young Sables were not content with just qualifying, they had an African Under-20 title to defend and they went on to beat Kenya, 28-7, at a packed Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

— @innocentskizoe