‘Changes are not because of the Tonga game’: Sables say shake-up for US game isn't reactive

By SportsCast Writer

HARARE – The raft of changes to Zimbabwe’s side for the World Rugby Nations Cup second game against hosts United States of America on Sunday morning (01:30 Zim time) are not a direct reaction to the team’s performance in the 36-26 defeat to Tonga last weekend.

The Sables put up a gallant performance to nearly beat Tonga in Colorado last week, with the team’s line-outs and some key players made to shoulder the blame for the loss after the African nation had rallied from a 19-5 first-half deficit to be 11 minutes away from snatching a shock victory over the Pacific islanders.

And after Zimbabwe made several adjustments to the side to face the US Eagles in the North Carolina city of Charlotte this weekend, Sables assistant coach Ricky Chirengende has explained that the changes are part of the team’s rotational thrust, more than anything else.

“I think we’ve just been intentional, to try and see our whole squad,” Chirengende told SportsCast from Charlotte on Friday.

“We’ve got incredibly good players on tour, and each and everyone of them is very capable of playing. So it’s just about rotating and keeping guys fresh. Some of these (selections) were even pre-planned in terms of who we are looking to give starts, and to give how amounts of minutes. Everything has been quite well-thought-out. It wasn’t changes that happened after the game against Tonga. These are changes we already thought about before we flew in, because we are just trying to give everyone a shot. Such is the quality that we have in the squad that we’ve faith and confidence in every single individual.”

Among the notable changes for Zimbabwe is the one of captain and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, who drops to the bench to be replaced in the starting line-up by Keegan Joubert.

Star loose-forward Tino Mavesere will lead the Sables as skipper for the first time in Test rugby.

Co-vice-captain and centre Kudzai Mashawi misses out of the match-day squad, allowing Dion Khumalo to start at outside-centre and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi switching from that position to number 12.

Aiden Burnett, the other Sables regular vice-captain, returns to the starting line-up at eighth-man, pushing Jason Fraser to blind-side flank.

The England-based pair of Cleopas Kundiona and Matt McNab make the starting XV at tight-head prop and wing to replace Michael Kumbirai and Trevor Gurwe respectively.

History will be made at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte for this maiden meeting at full Test rugby level between these two nations.

While the Sables are desperate for a much-improved performance against a buoyant US side that edged Portugal 30-29 last week, the Africans will not be pressured to abandon their approach.

“We are not looking to do much differently, I think we’ll stick to our DNA, which we saw against Tonga, which is expressing ourselves,” said Chirengende.

“I think we are a very dangerous team on transitions. We’ve got very fast and explosive players and we try to play to our strengths. But obviously rugby is a game where you’ve got to respect the set-piece, so a lot of our focus is going to make sure that we provide a platform from which we can attack from.

“And also spoil the other team’s first phase-ball. So hopefully our line-outs and scrums can be strong. Like any team, you obviously analyse the opposition and have a look at them. But I think a lot of our efforts and time has been spent on our own game, and we will see what the US presents tomorrow.”

                                               ZIMBABWE TEAM

Starting XV: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Matt McNab 13 Dion Khumalo, 12 Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 11. Eddie Sigauke, 10 Ian Prior, 9 Keegan Joubert, 8 Aiden Burnett, 7 Jason Fraser, 6 Tino Mavesere (captain), 5 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 4 Gary Porter, 3. Cleopas Kundiona, 2. Liam Larkan, 1. Victor Mupunga.

Bench: 16 Simba Mandioma, 17 Tijde Visser, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 20 Simbarashe Siraha, 21 Hilton Mudariki, 22 Bruce Houston, 23 Taku Musingwini.