The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Despite his team’s hard-fought 30-29 win over Kenya in the top of the table Victoria Cup rugby Test at Hartsfield a fortnight ago, Sables coach Brendan Dawson says his team can do better.
The Sables delivered a clinical display, one full of grit and determination, in their win over the East Africans.
“There have been a lot of positives in the team’s display so far and more so in that game against Kenya,” said Dawson.
“The boys showed a lot of fighting spirit, with everyone giving 110 percent.
“There was a lot of desire to win, a lot of fighting spirit and you could see that in the manner in which the boys handled themselves, particularly in those moments when the chips were down,” he said.
The performance was however, not flawless. “There are still a few areas that we need to work on before our next game, particularly our scrumming, which was not up to scratch.
“We also need to work on our ball retention, which was one of the weaknesses in the Kenya match,” Dawson said. The Sables regrouped yesterday and are hoping to maintain their unbeaten run when they face plucky Uganda at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. The match will be another test of steel for Dawson’s rebuilding exercise, in particular for the duo of Dudlee White-Sharpley and Martin Mangongo.
Since Dawson called up the young fly-half and fullback, the pair has been a topic for debate.
But Dawson is totally smitten by the two. “So far, Sharpley has acquitted himself pretty well and I was really impressed by how he controlled the game against Kenya.
“He read the game well, distributed the ball quite exceptionally and held his own.
“In as far as Mangongo is concerned, I think he is by far one of the most promising fullbacks in the country,” he said.
Unfortunately, the 51-year-old Dawson cannot call on the talents of injured winger Matthew McNab as well as the pair of Aiden Burnett and Njabulo Ndlovu.
Burnett and Ndlovu have not been released by their respective clubs in the United Kingdom and South Africa for this Victoria Cup assignment.
Sables Squad:
Tatenda Rwenyu, Royal Mwale, Tyran Fagan, David Makanda, Keith Murray, Matthew Mandioma. Cameron Harrison, Godwin Mangenje, George Saungweme, Blithe Mavesere, Brian Nyaude, Biselele Tshamala, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Aiden Burnett, Hilton Mudariki, Ernest Mudzengerere, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Dudlee White – Sharpley, Takudzwa Chieza, Martin Mangongo, Chibuwe Ngoni, Daniel Capsopoulos, Shingirai Katsvere, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Rufaro Chikwaira, Tari Mugariri
