JOHANNESBURG -- Zimbabwe Sevens Rugby coach Liam Middleton is confident that his charges will acquit themselves well at the South Africa Sevens taking place in George this week, adding that taking part in such tournament would help efforts to rebuild the Zimbabwean game. Middleton, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates where the team is participating in the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, said in an interview he was happy with progress the team has made over the years.
We work really hard behind the scenes to get rugby in Zimbabwe to the standard we want, I think we have done that in previous years, and we have to continue to do that. But we are not looking to just maintain a level, we are looking to push on and keep competing with the bigger teams, he added.
Ahead of the two-day South Africa tournament that starts next Friday, he hailed the maturity shown by some youngsters that were recently drafted into the team.
He said: I think you will see some exciting rugby from us because there are some good, talented individuals. Justin Coles has just come in, he is still a schoolboy but a phenomenal talent and he has the physical structure to back it up.
Another young guy, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, is very, very fast. Look out for those guys along with the more experienced guys in Wesley Mbanje and Fortunate Chipendu.
Rugby is one of many sporting genres that bore the brunt of the political and economic problems in Zimbabwe.
Like all other sporting disciplines, rugby was hit hard by the economic criss of the past decade that saw corporate sponsorship dwindling as companies cut down on expnditure to remain afloat, while on the hand the economic hardships drove some of the countrys best talent to neighbouring countries where facilities are better and the game pays more.
But in recent months, the Sevens team has shown massive improvement.
At last year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, the first event played at Dubai ‘s purpose-built complex ‘7he Sevens’, Zimbabwe wowed the crowds with their expansive style of rugby and took home the Bowl title after beating Ireland 17-14 in the playoffs.
The country also made a positive stride in the international rankings. They are ranked 50 in the 95-team log.
Post published in: Rugby