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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE kick-off their fifteens rugby Regal Hotels Cup of Nations against Russia at King Park Stadium in Hong Kong today.
The match kicks off at 11AM Zimbabwean time.
Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge will be looking for a better performance in a competition they will also face hosts Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.
In 2015, Zimbabwe lost all three matches they played against Russia, Hong Kong and Portugal to finish with zero points.
Yesterday, the Sables technical team led by Mandenge announced a 23-man squad for the clash against Russia. Skipper Denford Mutamangira will lead the team at loosehead while Brian Makamure will scrum down at tighthead, with Matthew Mandioma occupying the hooker position to complete the front row.
France-based Michael Passaportis and Witness Mandizha, who plays in South Africa, will lock down the scrum in the second row.
Biselele Tshamala at blindside flank, Andrew Rose on the open side and eighth man Njabulo Ndlovu make up the loose trio.
Kuziwakwashe Kazembe is set to earn his first Sables cap at scrumhalf where he makes up the halfback pairing with Lenience Tambwera at flyhalf.
Stephan Hunduza and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo have been selected as the two wings. Riaan O’Neil is at first centre, Kudzai Mashawi at outside centre, while United States of America-based Lungile Tshuma is the last man in defence at fullback.
After playing Russia, Zimbabwe take on Hong Kong on Tuesday before rounding off their participation in the competition against Papua New Guinea next Saturday.
Zimbabwe squad for Russia
Denford Mutamangira (captain), Matthew Mandioma, Brian Makamure, Michael Passaportis, Witness Mandizha, Biselele Tshamala, Andrew Rose, Njabulo Ndlovu, Kuziwakwashe Kazembe, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’Neil, Kudzai Mashawi, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Lungile Tshuma
Reserves: Tolerance Zishe, Irvine Nduwa, Lawrence Cleminson, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Connor Pritchard, Joshua Gando, Tichafara Makwanya, Bradley Ellse — @Mdawini_29.
Online Reporter