THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) yesterday named a revised Cheetahs training squad which will go into camp tomorrow ahead of next month’s International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series event in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
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In a statement yesterday, ZRU said in preparation for the tournament a final training squad of 20 players has been selected, after a wider training squad was announced two weeks ago.
The squad which will go into a training camp at the Innovate High Performance Centre in the capital was selected after the conclusion of the Summer 7s Series at the weekend.
Of the 20 players, ZRU have looked to build for the future with a number of young players being selected.
In fact of the 20 players, only seven of these players have had experience playing at an IRB World Series tournament.
The exciting talent being developed through the schools and the Summer 7s Series will have an opportunity to get valuable experience as ZRU aims to qualify for an Olympic Games in 2016.
The association’s director of rugby, Liam Middleton said: “This is a new-look squad with a blend of experience and youth. It’s important that we expand our player base in line with the explosive growth of the 7s game worldwide.
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“The squad of players selected for this camp may be low on International experience, but it is rich in talent and determination, and that provides a bright future for the Famous Grouse Cheetahs,” said Middleton.
With regular Cheetahs captain Jacques Leitao and his deputy Daniel Hondo not in the squad the upcoming tournament will present an opportunity for new players in the squad.
Some of the new faces in the squad include Morgan Vangue, Sean Coles and Brandon Boshi all whom showed a lot of promise during the Summer 7s Series.
“Morgan Vangue, Sean Coles and Brandon Boshi all whom have just finished school showed enough ability in the Summer Series for me to be confident of including them in the camp that is preparing for a World Series tournament. I expect that competition for places in the final team for PE (Port Elizabeth) will be intense and I’m looking forward to seeing this 7s squad come together during this week’s camp,” he said.
The final travelling squad of 12 players will be announced on Saturday.
The Famous Grouse Cheetahs 20-man training squad is as follows:
Fortune Chipendu, Tawanda Chowe, Sean Coles, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Boyd Rouse, Njabulo Ndlovu, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Biselele Tshamala, Farai Jijita, Sean Chigumbura, Stephen Hunduza, Kilvan Mangunje, Lenience Tambwera, Hilton Mudariki, Brandon Boshi, Gardner Nechironga, Wes Mbanje, Shayne Makombe, Sean Coles, Morgan Vangue, Tangai Nemadire
