ZIMBABWE’S rugby team will face Russia, Chile and Barbados in the pool stages of the “Core-Team” Qualifier at Hong Kong Sevens from March 28-30.
BY SPORTS REPORTER
The Cheetahs’ opponents for the HSBC World Sevens Series qualifying tournament were confirmed by the International Rugby Board (IRB) on Tuesday.
Tournament hosts Hong Kong were drawn in Pool F and face matches against the second European side, Italy, African qualifier Tunisia and the second of the Oceania qualifiers, American Samoa.
The other Asian heavyweight in the draw, Tokyo, from host nation Japan, starts top seed in Pool G and faces matches against Cook Islands, Uruguay and the top Caribbean nation, Trinidad & Tobago.
The winner of the qualifying tournament in Hong Kong will take the place of the bottom-ranked of the 15 current core teams after round nine of the World Series, the Marriott London Sevens on 10-11 May.
Zimbabwe will be buoyed by the fact that they won the same tournament last year in Hong Kong, before failing at the final hurdle in London.
Furthermore, the Zimbabwe squad will get an important insight into the Russian team when they compete in the Zimbabwe Invitational 7s to be held at Harare Sports Club from March 14-15.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Rugby Union of Russia will be sending two teams to the Zimbabwean tournament where they will meet the Cheetahs, Zimbabwe Goshawks, South Africa, Kenya, Georgia and Hong Kong.
Draw at a glance
Pool E: Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, Barbados Pool F: Hong Kong, Italy, Tunisia, American Samoa Pool G: Japan, Cook Islands, Uruguay, Trinidad & Tobago
