Phillimon Mhlanga
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s national sevens rugby team, the Cheetahs, plunge into battle tomorrow against an improved Wales outfit in the Rugby Sevens World Cup pre-round of 16 in San Francisco, USA.
Twenty-four men’s teams, will play it out from July 20-22, 2018 as defending champions New Zealand, England and South Africa- two sides that have shown good form of late- Russia, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Fiji, Hong Kong, Kenya, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, Japan, Zimbabwe, Wales, Uganda and Papua New Guinea, will compete over the course of three days at AT&T Park.
The World Rugby has altered the format this time around to increase the drama. There will be eight qualifiers that determine the round of 16, with the losers going into bowl.
From the last 16, the winners go on to the cup and losers into the challenge, and lose a game after that, its goodbye to the Golden City of San Francisco. This means, the eventual champions will have to win every match they play this weekend in order to take the spoils. In previous tournaments the group stage format allowed teams to withstand the occasional blip along the way.
The top eight men’s seeds — South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, England, United States, Australia, Argentina and Scotland — are placed in the second round. The other 16 teams will play a first-round match.
The Zimbabwe’s Cheetahs will open their campaign with a clash against Wales on July 20.
Unfortunately, the Cheetahs’ participation in this prestigious showpiece event comes after their plea for financial support from Government fell on deaf ears. This is despite the fact that national teams are a sole responsibility of the Government. Instead, this responsibility has been taken up by various well-wishers-individuals and companies-who have the game at heart.
Speaking to BT Sport from San Francisco on Tuesday, Gilbert Nyamutsamba said without even the minimum support, it’s not going to be easy for the Cheetahs.
“From the technical part of the game, (its) not (going to be) easy,” Nyamutsamba said in Whatsapp responses adding that: “The fact remains, not even minimum support (was given to the Cheetahs).”
Contacted for comment by BT Sport on Monday, the Minister of Sports, and Recreation, Ray Kazembe Kazembe, asked for written questions which were sent to him the same day. He, however, had not responded at the time of going to print.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani confirmed the development. “I think the best person to speak to is the Sports and Recreation Commission acting director general (Joseph Muchechetere). But, we didn’t get the (financial) support, nothing materialised,” Jani said.
Despite this, the Cheetahs need to lift their play overall. The Cheetahs have barely received the recognition that any World Cup-bound national side deserves, but their coach, to his credit, has ensured that such off-field events do not cloud their focus and unlike their Sables counterparts, they have kept their eyes on the prize.
On their last dance with the World Cup in 2013, the Cheetahs recorded their best finish at the 24 nation tournament, ending in 13th place, a vast improvement from their 2009 finish at the same global showcase where they had finished 17th after winning the Bowl.
Nyamutsamba, will be without highly experienced Lennience Tambwera, Gardner Nechironga, NjabuloNdlovu and Lucky Sithole, who were overlooked for this tournament.
Hilton Mudariki, the regular Sevens captain was also left out of the team because he needed to settle at his English club, Jersey Reds.
In his absence, the honours will fall on Boyd Rouse and Stephen Hunduza, who will attempt to fill the sizeable shoes of Mudariki. The duo has been handed the arm band as co-captains.
The very promising Rockies, Tarisai Mugariri and Jafnos Chiwanza have been selected to do battle for the country and their participation in the World Cup, could be a career changing achievement. They hope to repay the faith the coach has shown in them.
While the Cheetahs have to deal with their emotional or frustration, Wales, who were shock winners of the Sevens World Cup nine years ago and once again rank outsiders to upset the odds, are expected to adhere to their latest clinical efficient game plan.
The Wales squad contains the core of players who have been regulars on the circuit, including the likes of Owen Jenkins, Luke Morgan, and Adam Thomas who will be playing in his final world cup tournament and Ethan Davis.
Also included in the Wales side in San Francisco are two familiar faces to the country’s 15- a-side game, namely Cory Allen and Lloyd Williams, while speedster Jared Rosser impressed in Dragons colours at the end of last season.
Other seeded teams are South Africa, Fiji, defending champions New Zealand, England, Australia, Argentina and Scotland,who are placed in the second round.
Squad
Biselele Tshamala, Boyd Rouse (captain) Stephen Hunduza (captain), Shayne Makombe, Jafnos Chiwanza, Connor Pritchard, Riaan O’Neil, Shingirayi Hlanguyo, Ngoni Chibuwe, Tarisai Mugariri, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
Wales squad: Luke Treharne, Ethan Davies, Lloyd Williams, Luke Morgan, Owen Jenkins, Tom Williams, Cory Allen, Afon Bagshaw, Adam Thomas, Cai Devine, Jared Rosser, Ben Roach, Will Talbot-Davies.
