NATIONAL Rugby League (NRL) defending champions Old Hararians get a shot at claiming top dog status when they face rivals and last year’s runners-up Old Georgians in an epic clash at Harare Sports Club this afternoon.
THANDIWE MOYO
The last time the two teams met was in the NRL finale last season which saw Old Hararians claim the title with a 29-27 win.
Old Georgians, also known as the Dragons, have already lost one match this season to rivals Harare Sports Club and they have their sights set on making amends for that loss.
The Green Machine (Old Hararians) is yet to taste defeat in the league this season and last week registered a 47-11 win over Matabeleland Busters.
Green Machine coach Cyprian Mandenge said despite losing three players, one of which to their opponents and two through injury they are ready for the match.
Utility forward Prayer Chitenderu and centre Maclean Muhambi are out injured while Danny Robertson has since crossed floors to Old Georgians.
“It is like any other match. We are not going to take it any different. We know that they will come hard but we are just going to play our normal game. The past is water under the bridge. This is a totally different game altogether and we will take it one step at a time,” he said.
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Old Georgians coach Grant Mitchell said: “There are a few things that have changed since last year and teams have new players. It is a new test altogether. We have new young guys in our team such as scrum half Hilton Mudariki and his brother Farai a young prop. We have Stue Urban, Brandon Boshi who was at the Craven Week and three from old Hararians Jackie Mushoriwa, Regis Mutangadura and Danny Robertson,” he said.
In other matches, Busters who lost last weekend against Old Hararians will hope to make amends when they take on Harare Sports Club at Hartsfield Rugby Ground while Old Miltonians travel to Zvishavane Bulls. Western Panthers will be in Mutare against Mutare Sports Club.
