Sables ‘looking for answers’ from emerging players on development SA tour

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

Some of the squad's younger players pose for a photo after the big win on Tuesday.

HARARE – Zimbabwe rugby team assistant coach Ricky Chirengende says the tour to Louis Trichardt is giving uncapped younger players an opportunity to showcase what they can potentially bring to the Test side.

An entirely locally-based squad mixed with senior Sables stars and emerging players – playing as Zimbabwe ‘A’ – is on a two-match tour of the South African town as the Zimbabweans begin preparations for their historic return to the World Cup next year.

Zimbabwe ‘A’ crushed a Northern Regional Invitational side 59-0 on Tuesday with an experimental starting XV dominated by youngsters yet to be capped at Test level.

“You know, it was just for us to have a look at our local boys against different opposition, so it was a very young side yesterday (on Tuesday),” Chirengende told SportsCast on Wednesday.

“Most of them were playing for the first time. Obviously not a fully-capped game, but a lot were playing for the first time. It was our Under-20s blending in our senior programme, and looking at how they will grow. So the real benefit (from the tour) is asking questions and seeing if they have answers, and build towards a busy April to July period. So we want to see who is up for it.”

Chirengende remarked that the Zimbabwe ‘A’ forwards pack thrived in difficult conditions under lights at the Louis Trichardt Rugby Club on Tuesday.

“Our set-piece was very good, our scrum and our mauling and line-outs were exceptional,” said Chirengende.

“The conditions weren’t great, it was raining and wet, so our forwards took charge there. They ensured that we stayed on the ascendancy and the bulk of the tries came from good set-pieces, which is always good to see.”

Chirengende was particularly impressed by the young open-side flanker Polite Phiri, a former pupil of Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town.

“Polite Phiri was very good, he had a very good game both sides of the ball,” he said.

“He ran well on attack and was enormous on ‘D’ (defence). He put in positive hits, just showing the good intent that we want to see. So we look forward to Saturday, which will probably be the sterner test. We’re looking forward to introduce some of our seasoned players to mix up with our juniors and again look for answers to some questions we have.”