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Bryant Preston

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
TWO years after leaving Zimbabwe, former Young Sables captain and centre Preston Bryant has penned a deal with the United States Sevens rugby team.
The former St John’s College back-liner has become the latest Zimbabwean to sign a contract with another country adding to the long list of players that have opted not to play for their country of birth.

This comes exactly eight years after another Zimbabwean Takudzwa Ngwenya made his debut for the Eagles in a Sevens tournament and Bryant – who is now based in Denver and playing for Glendale Raptor  –  is set to make an appearance in the red and blue jersey.

And according to Bryant this is a dream he had been waiting to come true as he Twitted he always wanted to play in the Olympics.

“So stoked to be offered a contract with the #USA7s rugby team. I am one step closer to my dream. Thank you to all those who stuck with me,” he said on his Twitter account.

He added on his Facebook wall: “Humbled to announce I have been offered a contract with the USA 7s rugby team. I am now one step closer to achieving my dream of competing in the Olympics, and couldn”t be more excited about the opportunity ahead of me.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported me through thick and thin. There is a lot of work to do, both mentally and physically, but I am ready for the ride”.

According to reports from the United States the former Young Sables midfielder will join the Eagles next month as they begin their pre-season training. The Eagles are one of the core membership teams on the International Rugby Board circuit, a status Zimbabwe have failed to reach in the last two seasons.

“I heard rumours Matt (Hawkins United States coach) was interested in me, especially after the Serevi tournament, but because I just started school, I needed to get through the first year.

“During the summer vacation, I received an email from Matt asking if he could call sometime to talk about the opportunity. I said I was definitely interested and he called me last week to offer me the contract.

“I am really excited, but have so much work to do, both mentally and physically. It”s not going to be an easy road ahead, but no road worth it is. It”s time to work harder than ever before.”

However, this is not the first time that Bryant’s signature has been demanded by some other national team as he was part of the Blizbokke Academy that took part in the inaugural Zimbabwe Sevens international tournament in 2012.

In 2011 he was part of the Zimbabwe side that won the Junior Africa Cup tournament at home, a side that included the likes of Justin Coles, Lenience Tambwera, Tapiwa Tsomondo and Tonderai Chigumbura who have all gone on to represent Zimbabwe at senior level.

And of those that were in this junior side Tambwera and Mathew Mandioma are in camp with the Sables as they prepare for the Africa  Cup that is also doubling up as a World Cup qualifier  set for Madagascar this month-end.

Coach Brandon Dawson told The Herald that he is impressed with the squad composition.

“It is a well balanced side with the likes of Guy Cronye, Riaan O’Neil and Njabulo Ndlovu being part of the squad so the composition is nice, (because there are) enough hookers, front rowers, and locks.

“Farai Mudariki (Kudakwashe’s young brother) is one of the players that were added a bit later so we have a lot of work to put into it the side.
“On Friday there is going to be the Probables versus Possibles game at Harare Sports Club in the evening and that is going to give us a better picture. “