HARARE Zimbabwe national sevens rugby side Cheetahs go hunting in the 2009 Dubai Series in December where they were last week drawn in a tough Pool B against international rugby giants Fiji, Samoa and Scotland. (Pictured: Rugby The Dubai Series kicks off in December)The Cheetahs, who were recently in Namibia for an international tournament where they finished second behind South Africa after a 14-61 loss at the hands of their southern neighbours, go into the deserts of Dubai in a tournament that should prove a stern test for the Zimbabweans.
They will need to show the same tenacity that helped them put together an impressive run in Namibia to the prestigious Dubai sevens tournament where their first assignment is against Samoa in the second match of the tournaments opening day.
The Cheetahs then clash with Fiji, one of the four top seeded nations in the tournament, before their last pool match against Scotland.
South Africa have been tagged as the tournament favorites and have been seeded first, followed by Fiji, England and New Zealand.
International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens manager Beth Coalter regards the Cheetahs highly and an outstanding performance will cement the Zimbabweans place as one of the core nations to participate in all eight sevens series tournaments spread throughout the year.
I am pleased to confirm Zimbabwe’s Sevens teams participation in the 2009/2010 series in the Dubai tournament and South Africa (11-12 December), said Coalter.
“Following the team’s performance in these two tournaments, Zimbabwe would also be invited to participate at the Hong Kong tournament (26-28 March). I look forward to Zimbabwe participating once again in this year’s series.”
The Cheetahs have proved a force to reckon with in the past. They lifted their first silverware when they won the Bowl at this years edition of the World Cup and topped it up with a victorious run in the Castle Sevens Tournament in Zambia last June.
Post published in: Rugby