Sports Reporter
THE domestic National Rugby League resumes tomorrow after a two-month long break due to national team’s participation in the 2015 IRB World Cup qualifiers.
The Sables were knocked out of the tournament a fortnight ago by Russia in a one-legged playoff but the Zimbabwe Rugby Union requested the NRL to delay the restart to afford national team players to recover from the tiring campaign.

Some of the players from the NRL clubs that were with the Sables include Old Georgians’ 19-year-old prop Farai Mudariki, speed merchants Stephan Hunduza and Tafafadzwa Chitokwindo, experienced Tangai Nemadire and Gerald Sibanda.

Busters’ duo of Jan Ferreira and Schalk Ferreira, experienced Old Hararians flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya, Garner Nechironga and versatile forward Fortune Chipendu are some of the local players that failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

When play resume tomorrow, fourth on the table Busters will be on a bye with pacesetters Harare Sports Club locking hornes with second placed Old Georgians in what is expected to be an exciting fixture.

Old Hararians have an easy away tie to anchors Zvishavane Bulls while Old Miltonians will play host to Mutare Sports Club at Hartsfield Ground with  Gweru Sports Club enjoying home advantage when the play host to Western Panthers. Old Miltonians’ manager Theo Weale said his charges are raring to go.

“You know we are hungry to play rugby again and this time seeing that it will be a marathon, we want to win this game at all costs. Everyone is in the right mind frame and I can say we are ready for Mutare Sports Club,” Weale said.

Old Miltonians will pin their hopes on Victor Chiwara, Velile Dube, Nelson Madida, Jason McKay, Francis Nakamu, George Savada and Gweru based Tawanda Mhora. Young Andrea Banda will link with captain Michael Zvakavapano to lead Old Miltonians’ attack.

Meanwhile, International Rugby Board (IRB), Regional Development Manager for Africa Jean-Luc Barthes arrived in the country yesterday for a five-day annual review meeting with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union executive and administration. According to a statement from ZRU, Barthes’ visit is inline with the IRB’s governance protocols and the ZRU’s commitment to maintain accountability and responsibility for the game in Zimbabwe.

“Barthes arrives in the country on Thursday for a review and performance meeting to discuss among other strategic issues, the ZRU development plan and how it will be implemented in 2015 as well as make visits to community playing centres. On the agenda the ZRU executive will also brief the IRB on the progress of all national team programmes and their performance,” reads a ZRU statement.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Old Miltonians v Mutare Sports Club (Hartsfield Ground), Harare Sports Club v Old Georgians (Harare Sports Club), Zvishavane Bulls v Old Hararians (MacAdam), Gweru Sports Club v Western Panthers (Gweru Sports Club)

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