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Sports Reporter
SENIOR national rugby team captain Daniel Hondo said there is no room for error when they take on Russia in a must- win 2015 IRB World Cup knockout qualifier in Siberia next Saturday.
Speaking before their departure for Russia on Thursday, the Sables skipper said they are motivated by the desire to write their piece of history and lead Zimbabwe to next year’s finals to be held in London.

The Sables were left to fight another day when they blew a golden opportunity to earn an automatic rugby World Cup ticket after finishing second to Namibia in the African qualifiers held in Madagascar early this month.

Zimbabwe are ranked 27th in the world while their opponents are on position 20 but Hondo is confident that they will win the one-legged tie and proceed to face the winner of the game between Uruguay and Hong Kong on a home and away basis for the remaining World Cup ticket.

“Everyone is looking forward to the game against Russia and the good thing is that we believe in ourselves. The unity of purpose and sharing the same goal of playing at the World Cup is what is driving the guys.

“We missed an opportunity to get an automatic ticket in Madagascar but that is now water under the bridge and we are focused on the game against Russia. We can’t afford to repeat the mistakes we made during the Africa qualifiers as that can be detrimental to our campaign. Obviously Russia will be hoping to make use of home advantage but I believe the one-week camp we will have there will be enough for us to acclimatise,” said Hondo.

The Sables players left the country yesterday to join the advance party led by coach Brendan Dawson which jetted out of the country on Thursday.

A confident Dawson said speed and agility would be vital if they are to beat Russia.
He said he had been studying Russia’s games and noted that they had heavily built players and his aim was to tire down his opponents.

“We are capable of beating Russia and we are going to do that. We have been analysing some of their matches and from what we have seen they are not fearsome. What we have to do is to be quicker and run them across the field because they have heavy forwards. We have to avoid making mistakes, make use of the ball by trying to keep possession but what I believe will be key is to break with pace,” said Dawson.

A squad of 24 players made it for the trip with Shayne Mukombe who did not travel with the team to Madagascar for African qualifiers coming in for Gerald Sibanda.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Nyararai Sibanda is the head of delegation with other members of the technical team being assistant coach Cyprian Mangende, team manager Brighton Chivandire and Sharon Mkumbudzi the team’s physiotherapist.

Liam Middleton, whose presence in both the Sevens and conventional 15-a-side teams has been an issue, will not be travelling this time around. Without his alleged interference, Dawson and his team would have to prove that they are just as competent and suitable for the job.

Hondo, his deputy Jacques Leitao who has led the Cheetahs to a number of successful trips, Joubert Pieter, Sanele “Smiley” Sibanda and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo are expected to use their experience as they seek a memorable victory in Russia.

The team
Joubert Pieter, Murray Keith, Kevin Nqindi, Jan Ferreira, Sanele Sibanda, Graeme Lawler, Jacques Leitao (vice captain), Lambert Groenewald, Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’neill, Daniel Hondo (captain), Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Danny Robertson, Lawrence Cleminson, Matthew Mandioma, Farai Mudariki, Takunda Chifokoyo, Fortunate Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Peter du Toit, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe