The Herald
12 May 2010
By Paul Munyuki
NO major changes were made to the Zimbabwe Under-20 side set to take part at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Moscow, Russia, next week and Graham Kaulback was retained as captain.
The majority of the players that drove Zimbabwe to qualify for the world event were part of the side that won the Junior Africa Cup last year in Kenya.
England-based winger Terrence Kuvarega was dropped from the side that toured Kenya as he was never part of the squad that was in camp for the JWRT. And of those that were in camp, Julian Nicholas, Takudzwa Nyadongo and Tinofara Chikobvu failed to make it into the travelling squad.
Daniel Turner, Charles Jiji, Luke Rutter, Takudzwa Jaravaza, Takudzwa Mandiwanza and David Watson were part of the Zimbabwe Under-18 Craven Week side last year.
At the Craven Week, Mandiwanza was the captain and was deputised by utility back Jiji.
But not only is there experience on the field, but the Young Sables will also bank on the experience of their coaches Brighton Chivandire and Godwin Murambiwa who have been at the event previously.
The duo are also some of the most experienced coaches in the country and are both International Rugby Board accredited coaching instructors. Guest of honour at the side’s kit presentation and farewell dinner on Monday night, Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart urged the boys to do their best to raise the nation’s flag high.
“You are not only doing this for yourselves. You are going out there as ambassadors of our beautiful Zimbabwe. Be proud of putting on that jersey and do your best. Stand in the field and sing the national anthem with pride,” said Coltart.
He also urged the Young Sables to be proud of Zimbabwe to the extent that they should come back home and play for the senior national team. “Sport has always been the fun side of my job as the minister and I would love to see Zimbabwe rugby rise to be one of the best nations in the world.
“We have the potential and you are the potential we are talking of because you are the future of the game in Zimbabwe. It would be good to see all of you playing for Zimbabwe in 5 or so years. I know it is difficult to retain the players especially when they are lured by such countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“But if we understand that we have to be patient and build Zimbabwe sport together to rise to the levels like when we beat the All Blacks in 1949, we will see ourselves playing at the highest levels like that of the Super 14 someday,” said Coltart.
Zimbabwe Under-20 Squad
Forwards: Brian Makamure (Old Hararians) prop, Simbarashe Musarurwa (Busters) prop, Dimitrios Zaverdinos (Old Georgians) prop, Tatenda Karuru (Old Hararians) hooker, Takudzwa Mandiwanza (Old Hararians) hooker, Schalk Ferreira (Western Province Academy) lock, Sasha Holloway (Sharks Academy) lock, Takudzwa Jaravaza (Old Hararians) lock, Marco Mama lock, David Watson (Pretoria University) lock, Lucas Wollmann (Pretoria University) lock, Brendon Chapman (Pretoria University) flanker, Graeme Lawler (Hartpury College) flanker, Marco Mama (Bristol Rugby) flanker, Biselele Tshamala (Busters) eigthman.
Backs: Charles Jiji (Old Hararians) scrumhalf, Graham Kaulback (Pretoria University) (captain) scrumhalf, Kyle Mullen (Sharks Academy) scrumhalf, Jonathan McWade (Pretoria University) flyhalf, Farai Mupasiri (Old Hararians) flyhalf, David Fussell (Pretoria University) centre, Matthew Swales (Pretoria University) centre, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo (Old Hararians) wing, Brian Maziva (Old Hararians) wing, Dante Mama (Worcester Warriors) fullback, Danny Robertson (Old Georgians) fullback.
Technical Team
Head of Technical: Rick Kershaw
Head Coach: Brighton Chivandire
Team Manager: Jeannine Bryant
Assistant Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant Coach: John Falkenberg
Physiotherapist: Margi Gibson
Team Doctor: Taurai Chipamaunga