THE Zimbabwe Sevens rugby team put down a statement of intent in their quest to attain core status on the World Rugby World Sevens World Series next season after posting impressive wins over Guyana and Tonga in Hong Kong yesterday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Playing for the first time under new coach Danny Hondo, the Cheetahs proved too much for their opponents as they opened their campaign with a 36-0 win over Guyana before outclassing Tonga 41-0.
Germany-based speedster Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, who plays for TV Pforzheim in the Rugby Bundesliga was in brilliant form yesterday, scoring four tries in the first two matches.
Chitokwindo scored a brilliant hat-trick in the victory over Guyana with other tries coming from Stephan Hunduza, Njabulo Ndlovu and Shayne Makombe while Graham Kaulback and Boyd Rouse weighed in with three conversions.
Hunduza, who is Zimbabwe’s most outstanding player at the same competition last year, then added a brace of tries in the second match after Chitokwindo had opened the scoring in the match.
Zimbabwe, who caught the eye on the opening day with their speed, skill and watertight defence, got further tries in the match from Hilton Mudariki, Boyd Rouse Biselele Tshamala and debutant Rian O’Neill.
After the two wins, the Cheetahs finished top of Pool G ahead of Spain on points’ difference and will today face their first real test against the latter in what should be an absorbing contest to decide who finishes top of Pool G ahead of the knockout phase of the competition.
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Hondo will be hoping his charges are consistent throughout their campaign in the cut-throat tournament where just one bad game can see them bowing out of contention.
Having come short in the past the Cheetahs will this year be confident of winning the 12-team World Rugby Sevens World Series qualifier which would see them featuring in all nine legs on the HSBC Sevens World Series next season.
Cheetahs squad: Jacques Leitao (captain), Boyd Rouse, Njabulo Ndlovu, Shayne Makombe, Riaan O’Neill, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Kilvan Magunje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Hilton Mudariki, Stephan Hunduza, Biselele Tshamala, Graham Kaulback.
Head coach: Daniel Hondo Assistant coach: John Ewing, Team manager: Steve McDonald
