adminPaul Munyuki Harare Bureau
The battle lines have been drawn and Zimbabwe’s journey to glory starts with a date against Samoa in the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy that gets underway today at Harare Sports Club. Making a return to the global youth tournament after four years, the young Sables take on the Pacific Ocean islanders in the final game of the day with the game set to kick-off at 4pm.
The day starts with a Group B match between the United States and African giants Namibia at 10am before Europeans Spain take on Asians giants Hong Kong at midday.
Uruguay and Fiji play in the main curtain-raiser to Zimbabwe’s date against Samoa. Aiming for a top five finish or at least two wins in the competition, Zimbabwe are not putting themselves under pressure as they are only “making a return”.
Captain Connor Pritchard believes they should play to the best of their abilities and also “remember to have fun”.
Zimbabwe were drawn in Group A of the tournament, a group that also includes the Pacific Ocean Islanders duo of Samoa and Fiji and South American champions Uruguay and according to the blind-side flanker they are aiming for better performances.
“We’re obviously not expecting to come out first but it would be good if we work our hearts out and try to win as many games as we can. I think we’re in the harder of the two groups but we will not let down our side. We need to play to the best of our abilities in every challenge we face.
“The good thing about our team is that the vibe is good, we all get along well because for us to achieve any goal the team has to be close and tight and that’s exactly how we’re and that makes us a good team,” said Pritchard.
However, Samoa are not taking any of their games lightly as their ultimate goal is to make it back into the more prestigious World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
“We’re desperate to get back to the bigger tournament. We want to fix our mistakes and get back to the top tier competition and so we’re looking forward to every game we will play.
“We’ve to respect every opponent we will face but there’s a lot of expectation back home and with expectations come pressure so I hope we will come firing from the first day.
“Teams in both competitions (World Trophy and World Championship) are getting tougher with each passing year as more countries develop so that’s why we’re not going to take any of the teams lightly and I hope we will deliver,” said Samoa coach Ramsey Tomokino.
Fiji assistant coach Kele Leawere says they are looking forward to a wonderful tournament especially the first game against Uruguay who beat them in the last minute last year.
“All the teams here have prepared well for this tournament and we will take them all seriously. We lost to Uruguay in the last minute last year so the re-match is going to be a ‘grudge match’.
“It’s first time for all these players to be in Africa and so we want to leave an impression in Zimbabwe.
“Our primary goal is to win our first game against Uruguay and take it from there,” said Leawere.
Hong Kong coach John Segbach says they are not putting themselves under unnecessary pressure and will only have to play to make sure that they have a stronger side ahead of next year’s tournamets.
“It’s good for us as Hong Kong to be taking part in such international tournaments because it only makes our game better.
“We’re only taking part in this tournament for the second time so we’re just looking at making progress playing against top nations,” said Segbach.
Zimbabwe squad
Forwards: Connor Pritchard (Falcon College), Aiden Burnett (St John’s College), Justin Mendelsohn (Sharks), Rodrick Mubaiwa (UK), Tinotenda Musasanura (CBC), Kudakwashe Ndoro (Prince Edward), Martin Shioma (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Stephen Bhasera (UJ), Jeff Makoni (PE), Tatenda Zhoya (UJ), Daniel Nyamugama (Freestate), Lebogang Ngwenya (USA), T. Muchena (SGC), K. Chisango (SGC), Tapiwa Mangwana (Aus).
Backs: Tadiwa Gochera (St Benedict’s College), Shingirai Katsvere (Prince Edward), Mudiwa Manhombo (St Benedict’s College), Tatenda Matoramusha (Prince Edward), Ernest Mudzengerere (Prince Edward), Tawanda Ngosi (Durban), Sam Phiri (Falcon), Tarisai Mapfumo (Kyle), Kudzaishe Munangi (Maritzburg), Angus Bruce (SGC), Takudzwa Gamanya (Kyle) —sportszone.co.zw
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