Dawson’s 2023 dream

30 Jun, 2019 - 00:06 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Tinashe Kusema

COOL, calm and collected. Sables coach Brendan Dawson casts the figure of a man content.

The 51-year-old has set his sights on the 2023 Rugby World Cup and says the road to France begins now with the Victoria Cup which begins next week.

The goal is to use the four-team tournament-which comprises of Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe as preparation for the new World Cup qualification format that starts in November.

Under the format, 16 teams will compete in the new Rugby Africa Cup (RAC) with an aim to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in 2022.

The top 16 teams based on the African ranking will compete in a single coordinated competition until the last two face each other in the final.

The first stage consists of a qualifying round where the winner of each of these four matches will progress to the group phase.

And Dawson couldn’t be happier about the changes to the qualification process, and the return of the Victoria Cup.

“Well, I applaud the union (World Rugby) for these changes, as I have always been an advocate for every rugby playing nation being given a fair shake to qualify,” said Dawson.

“Under the new format, there will be more games for every rugby playing nation and the best teams will qualify,” he said.

Last week, Dawson announced a 38-men provisional squad for the Victoria Cup, during which it was also announced that the duo of Liam Middleton and Daniel Hondo will be joining his technical staff.

“I’m happy and satisfied with the boys we have called into camp, and work starts as early as Wednesday when everybody is expected to report for duty,” said Dawson.

“The 2023 World Cup is the ultimate goal and as such we have called in a largely young group, albeit blended with a few experienced hands.

“The goal is to give everyone a fair shake, and experiment with a few combinations and players as we build a team that will take us to France.

“We want to give these guys some game time, experience at playing at this level and we have two years before we mount our challenge to qualify for the World Cup in 2022,” he said.

On the inclusion of Middleton and Hondo, Dawson said; “These two bring mountains of experience and expertise that will be of great value to what we are trying to achieve.

“Middleton, fresh off his time in the UK, is veteran of the game and will definitely be of great value to defence.

“Hondo is arguably one of the fastest growing and innovative rugby minds in the country and I am looking forward to working with him and bearing witness to what he brings to the team as strength and conditioning coach,” said the Bulawayo Metropolitan-based gaffer.

 

Squads

Royal Mwale, Tyran Fagan, Henri Boshoff, Keith Murray, Matthew Mandioma,

Neil Mawere, David Makanda, Cleopas Kundiona, Kudakwashe Chipunza,

Godwin Mangenje, Jan Ferreira, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, George Saungweme, David Kapuya, Biselele Tshamala, Blithe Mavesere, Brian Nyuade, Aiden Burnett, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Ernest Mudzengerere, Hilton Mudariki, Kuziva Kazembe, Brandon Mandivenga, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Martin Mangongo, Chibuwe Ngoni, Daniel Capsopoulos, Takudzwa Chieza, Shayne Makombe, Riaan O’Neil, Kudzai Mashawi, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Matthew Macnab, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Shingirai Katsvere, Kudakwashe Chiwanza

Rufaro Chikwaira and Wesley Chiromo

 

Team Management

Head Coach: Brendon Dawson

Assistant Coach: Tonderai Chavhanga

Defence Coach: Liam Middleton

Conditioning Coach: Daniel Hondo

Manager: Jason Maritz

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