Zimpapers Logo

BRENDAN DAWSON

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union has approached the International Rugby Union for funding to enable the Sables ample time to prepare for next month’s first round of the World Cup qualifier play-off against Russia in Siberia.
The Sables were left to fight another day when they blew a golden opportunity to earn an automatic Rugby World Cup ticket to England next year despite scoring three tries in the 28-10 win over Kenya in Madagascar on Sunday, finishing second to Namibia in the African qualifiers.

Zimbabwe, ranked 27th in the world, will now take on Russia who are on number 20 in a one-legged tie.

Should they clear that hurdle, they will face the winner of the game between Uruguay and Hong Kong on a home and away basis for the remaining World Cup ticket.

In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, ZRU general manager Sifiso Made said they are working tirelessly to make sure that the Sables prepare better than they did before flying out to Madagascar.

“First and foremost the Sables did extremely well in Madagascar considering the limited time and resources that we had to prepare for that trip.

“We showed that as Zimbabwe we have a lot to offer and given time we would have done better.

“To give the guys proper room to prepare for the play offs, we have written to IRB through the Confederation of African Rugby to find out if they can avail some funding to us so that we have adequate plans before travelling to Siberia.

“As it is the team is not in camp because it is expensive to keep them in hotels during training but we are working round the clock to make sure that we get something positive.

“A decision will be made on the team’s plans in the next two or so days,” said Made.

The Sables will look to flyhalf Guy Cronje, centre Riaan O’Neil and scrummy Hilton Mudariki who scored tries for them against Kenya, fullback Tangai Nemadire, eighth-man Lambert Groenewald as well as loose head prop Denford “Zim One” Mutamangira who put up one of his best — if not the best — performances in the green and white hooped jersey, commanding the front row very well and winning a lmost all the balls at contact for their must-win Russia game.

They also have experienced hooker Keith Murray, tight-head prop Kevin Nqindi, Jacques Leitao and Greame Lawler who proved their worth to the Sables’ cause.

“I would like to believe that after the three games played in Madagascar, the technical team led by Brendan Dawson and Cyprian Mandenge now have identified players that they can take along to Russia.

“They are experienced coaches who have done pretty well under the circumstances and if we fail to get any sponsorship from IRB, then we will have to camp here and take along a thin squad to do duty,” said Made.