THE Zimbabwe Under-19 technical department yesterday made five tactical changes from the team that beat Kenya 25-17 on Wednesday for today’s Under-19 Rugby Africa Cup Group 1A Tournament final against Namibia at St Georges College.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The Young Sables will face long-time nemesis Namibia in the tournament decider which is set to decide Africa’s representatives at next year’s Junior World Rugby Trophy.
Zimbabwe’s match kicks off at 1500 hours after the relegation playoff match pitting Kenya against East African rivals Uganda which kicks off at 1300 hours.
Traditionally, Zimbabwe have struggled to match Namibia upfront in this fixture and the Young Sables technical department seems to have gone for size upfront to neutralise their opponents physically.
Hooker Tinotenda Musasanura replaces Panashe Sora in the front row, while Martin Shioma, who impressed at open side flank during the game against Kenya, replaces Tinashe Gonese in the second row.
The other change in the forwards sees Cole Bond coming in at open-side flank, where he is expected to combine well with skipper Connor Pritchard and Aiden Burnett in the loose trio.
Zimbabwe’s forwards will need to front up in defence and work hard at the breakdown when securing their own ball as Namibia will look to bully them in that area and starve them of clean ball.
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The biggest casualty in the backline is flyhalf Joshua Gando, who drops to the bench after an indifferent start against the Kenyans with Tadiwa Gochera, who started at fullback on Wednesday taking over the number 10 jersey.
Shingi Katsvere, who had a brilliant game against Kenya moves from centre to fullback while Mathew Ushewokunze partners Mudiwa Manhombo in what promises to be an explosive centre-pairing for the Zimbabweans.
Young Sables assistant coach Bob Mahari said the changes were mostly tactical and they were looking to come up with the best possible combinations against Namibia.
“The changes are mostly tactical. We’ve basically gone for broke because we needed to come up with the best possible combinations which suit what we are expecting from Namibia.
“However, everyone who is part of the squad is going to have a role to play defending on the game situation. Our goal remains the same we have to win and qualify,” he said.
The Young Sables start the match as underdogs and will be hoping for a change of fortunes as they go in search of their first win over the Namibians at Under-19 level since winning the Junior Africa Cup in 2011.
Young Sables Starting XV: 1. Rodrick Mubaiwa, 2. Tinotenda Musasanura, 3. Justin Mendelsohn 4. Martin Shioma, 5. Kudakwashe Ndoro, 6. Connor Pritchard (c), 7. Cole Bond, 8. Aiden Burnett, 9. Earnest Mudzengerere, 10. Tadiwa Gochera, 11. Brain Matoramusha, 12. Matthew Ushewokunze, 13. Mudiwa Manhombo, 14. Tawanda Ngosi, 15. Shingi Katsvere
Replacements: 16. Panashe Sora, 17. Farai Lioga, 18. Francis Mungwari, 19. Ronald Jiri, 20. Joshua Gando, 21. Ngoni Zinyama, 22. Godwin Mangenje, 23. Russell Dinha, 24. Tinashe Gonese
Head Coach Brendon Brider
Assistant Coach Farai Bob Mahari
Team Manager: Shaun De Souza
