BY BRIAN MATAMBA
HARARE – Amidst celebrations, covered in the glory of being crowned the continent’s champions, it is understandable to drop guard a bit and forget – for a moment – about how the players actually performed. After re-watching Zimbabwe’s 29-3 Rugby Africa Cup final win over Algeria, here is what I observed from the Sables players, on a scale of 1 to 10:
Victor Mupunga (loose-head prop, 6)
He was solid at scrum time but was not involved that much in the match.
Simba Mandioma (hooker, 4)
Mandioma had an afternoon to forget, struggling to find his jumpers in the 60 minutes he was on the park. Most of his throws were either over cooked or skewed. He barely had ball in hand, unlike in the previous matches against Uganda and Namibia.
Bornwell Gwinji (tight-head prop, 6)
Gwinji had a very good game. The ever dependable and robust France-based front-rower managed to match the Algerians’ physicality, especially at scrum time and at the breakdown. He also delivered some big hits at crucial points of the match.
Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa (lock, 6)
Nyakufaringwa stabilised the scrum, showing great experience at second row. However at line-out time, his timing to jump was not spot on, resulting in Zimbabwe losing possession.
Simba Siraha (lock, 6)
Siraha cleaned out well at the breakdown and broke the line once with a magnificent carry towards the end of the match. He offered steadiness at scrum time.
Godfrey Muzanargwo (open-side flank, 5)
The back row made some brilliant carries, especially in tighter space. But he was unfortunate to spend 10 minutes in the sin-bin in what was judged to be an elbow on the opposing player. His work rate off the ball was great, as he kept on putting pressure on the Algerian defence.
Dylan Utete (blind-side flank, 5)
Utete, who was making his second appearance for the Sables, tried to impose himself on the match but it was to no avail. Until he was withdrawn by the coach in the second half.
Aiden Burnett (eighth-man, 8)
Man-of-the-match Burnett was solid once again at the base of the scrum, giving the team front-foot ball. He proved to be one of the Sables’ strong ball-carriers this campaign and constantly threatened the gain-line whenever he had the ball. Part of his game was managing to match the Algerians’ physicality. He was rightfully named player of the final.
Hilton Mudariki (scrumhalf, 5)
The skipper was vocal, and dictating proceedings with clever box kicks. The experienced scrumhalf tried to to speed up the tempo of the match by recycling the ball fast of the base of the ruck, but never got fully going as he didn’t have a natural half-back partner. The Algerians also managed to neutralise him by slowing down the game.
Tapiwa Mafura (flyhalf, 5)
The tournament’s best player had a quiet game by his lofty standards, as he was playing out of position. He is not a natural 10, he’s more of a back three player. However, he managed to contribute with the boot – a solitary penalty and two conversions.
Kudzai Mashawi (inside-centre, 6)
With ball in hand, Mashawi attacked the gain-line and gave the Sables front foot ball. In defence, the veteran Harare Sports Club midfield ace was solid. He is one player who thrives on physicality and doesn’t shy away from putting big hits.
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (outside-centre, 6)
Mudzekenyedzi was starved of possession, but whenever he was called in action, he carried the ball well. His support play is next to none. He was high alert when young winger Trevor Gurwe broke loose on the right wing, offloading to Mudzekenyedzi for Zimbabwe’s fourth and last try of the match. In defence he was resilient.
Edward Sigauke (right wing, 5)
The Zimbabwe Under-20 speedster, earning only his third senior Sables cap, had average game. Sigauke barely touched the ball and was called in action mostly for defence duties.
Trevor Gurwe (left wing, 8)
Gurwe, who was making his first start for the Sables, was red-hot all afternoon with his blistering pace. He scored a brace of tries and assisted one. He is certainly one to watch for the future.
Takudzwa Musingwini (fullback, 5)
The young utility back contributed well in broken play with good runs, managing to assist Gurwe’s first try. In defence he was immense, putting in the necessary tackles. But, however, he struggled with the kicking tee as he missed two penalties and a conversion.
Replacements
Liam Larkan (Hooker, 6)
Larkan was on the pitch for 20 minutes but restored parity at line-out time as he constantly found his jumpers in an area where the Sables had been struggling all afternoon. He was lively in broken play and capitalised on any loose balls. His hard work was rewarded when he scored Zimbabwe’s third try of a rolling maul in the corner.
Keegan Joubert (scrumhalf, 6)
Joubert showed great maturity for a player of his modest experience, in the closing stages of the match. He exhibited good ball distribution and didn’t rush things, displaying proper game management in running the clock down. He contributed to the scoreboard with a solitary conversion.
NB: Two more replacements, Dion Khumalo and Tadiwa Gwashu, aren’t rated as they didn’t see much action.
