The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Under-20 rugby team coach Farai Mahari is in Bulawayo today to have a look at players based in the city ahead of national trials to be held at Churchill High School in Harare on Saturday.
Mahari said today’s visit gives him an opportunity to assess players that have been trained by Ruben Kumpasa, Themba Phiri and Thabo Moyo at Hartsfield Rugby Ground.
He will make a decision on how many stand a chance of going for the trials from where 25 players will be chosen for the trip to Madagascar for what used to be the Africa Cup Under-20 which is now called the Barthes Cup in honour of former World Rugby’s Rugby Services Manager for Africa Jean-Luc Barthes who died in February last year.
“The idea behind the trip is to make sure the boys coming to Harare for the trials know what kind of rugby we are encouraging and to give clarity over our rugby philosophy therefore they can show/highlight those skills. We are looking at players born between 1997 and 1998,’’ said Mahari.
On players based outside Bulawayo and Harare’s chances of being selected, Mahari pointed out that those in areas such Chihnoyi, Marondera, Mutare, Masvingo and Gweru have also been invited for the trials.
In Madagascar, the tournament runs from 17 to 23 April with the winner getting an opportunity to qualify for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy to be held in Uruguay from 29 August to 10 September in Uruguay.
Zimbabwe have been given an opportunity to have a shot at qualifying for the World Rugby second tier Under-20 tournament after they lost 42-29 to Namibia at the African qualifiers held in Windhoek last year.
The Junior Sables, led by wing Sam Phiri were actually leading that final 29-28 with 14 minutes left but a couple of mistakes got them punished by the Namibians.
Indications are that unlike in previous years when the qualifiers are held a year before, World Rugby have re-aligned the format such that the qualifiers and the tournament are held the same year.
Zimbabwe will play against Kenya in the semi-finals while Namibia take on Madagascar with the winner going on to clash in the final to decide the Africa representative in Uruguay.
@Mdawini_29
