BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe travel to Kenya this weekend with the largely developmental side they have been fielding in this year’s Currie Cup first division competition, as the nation attempts to rebuild following the great disappointment of yet another failed World Cup qualification bid.
Experienced scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, who also captains the main national team, the Sables, is leading the Goshawks on the Kenya trip for Saturday’s clash with the Simbas. The only other notable senior player in the side is eighth-man Aiden Burnett, who has also captained the Zimbabweans in the Currie Cup as stand-in skipper.
Props Kevin Nqindi and Brian Makamure had a small taste of international rugby in their much younger days, but hadn’t been in the set-up for quite a while.
The Goshawks, the name of Zimbabwe’s unofficial Test side, will be searching for their first win of the Currie Cup in what should be an evenly balanced clash against the East Africans in Nakuru on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean side’s performances have vastly improved following a slow start, but they are still to record a win. The hosts could start as favourites considering that they have been based in South Africa for most of the competition, where they were tested by stronger opposition week-in-week-out.
On the other hand, the Goshawks didn’t set base in South Africa this time around, unlike last year, due to the Zimbabwean union’s financial difficulties.
GOSHAWKS
Starting XV: 1. Kevin Nqindi 2. Neil Mawere 3. Tawanda Mudyiwa 4. Patrick Macklin 5. Tadiwanashe Gwashu 6. Simba Sihara 7. Gideon Maseka 8. Aiden Burnett 9. Hilton Mudariki (captain) 10. Takudzwa Musingwini 11. Cletos Sunduza 12. Tamuka Pamire 13. Russell Dinha 14. Gamu Nekati 15. Taddy Dzandiwandira.
Substitutes: 15. Bornwell Gwinji 16. Vuyiswa Mpofu 18. Brian Makamure 19. Tapiwa Muberekwa 20. Joseph Chigwida 21. Pride Nyameni 22. Ben Pattenden 23. Maclean Muhambi 24. Aaron Juma.
