ZRU remains positive despite Barthes Trophy loss

ZIMBABWE Rugby Union (ZRU) vice president Martin Shone says they intend to keep the Junior Sables team together and try to get them more game time ahead of the next major tournaments.

Kenya won 28-13 against Zimbabwe to win the Rugby Africa Barthes Trophy on Sunday.

“Unfortunately we could not defend the title but on the positive is the fact that we had a young side which we hope to keep together for future tournaments. Preparations for next year’s competition start now,” said Shone.

It was Kenya’s third straight win of the competition and they qualify for the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024, held in Scotland from 2-17 July, as champions of their region.

They will face tournament debutants the Netherlands and 2023 runners-up Uruguay in Pool B with the final place to be taken by the winner of the USA-Canada play-off.

The line-up for Pool A was decided at the beginning of March when Samoa claimed the Oceania ticket to join Scotland, Japan – the side relegated from the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 – and the Asian qualifier Hong Kong China.

Both Kenya and the Junior Sables were unbeaten going into the final round of matches following earlier wins over Tunisia and Namibia.

Tournament hosts Zimbabwe started the brightest as they attempted to win their third straight African Under-20 title, racing into a 10-0 lead after unconverted tries from Tawana Nyashabwane and Edward Sigauke.

But tries from Iddo Kuta, Michael Wamalwa – with his fourth of the tournament – and Patrick Wainaina with a conversion from James Olela put the Chipu into a 17-10 lead at the break.

Penalties were then traded before captain Andy Cole Omolo barged over to make the score 25-13 to the Chipu.

Phil Okeyo put the result doubt when he kicked a penalty five minutes from time as the Chipu reclaimed the trophy they last won in 2021.

-@innocentskizoe